Asst sub-inspector attacks pregnant woman

The policeman, who resides in Badlapur (E) and is attached to the Thane Crime Branch, dragged Anagha Chandrakant Joshi (23) out of her second-floor apartment at 7 am on Wednesday, when a neighbour carelessly chucked some garbage out of the window. When the trash landed downstairs, in front of Shinde’s front door at Omkar Darshan, Chaitanya Complex, he grew livid.

Shinde marched up to Anagha’s flat along with his wife and daughter, and dragged the lady downstairs. Picking up a broom and stick, they began to beat her onher abdomen, repeatedly. Anagha was admitted to a primary health centre (PHC) at Badlapur, which advised her to get admitted to a private hospital.

In his medical report, Dr B S Bhondve of the PHC reserves opinion on the baby’s condition, saying it is "complicated". Anagha, nine-months pregnant and due any day now, is currently at Krishna Hospital, anxiously awaiting a verdict on her baby. The baby has stopped moving since the incident, she says, waiting for the detailed medical report.

After the thrashing, a frantic Anagha dialled a family friend, Dr Amrut Gorule, for help. The Shindes beat him up as well.

Gorule, personal assistant to Tourism and Consumer Protection Minister Jagannath Patil, took Anagha to the Badlapur police station, which lodged a non-cognisable offence against Shinde (NC no 337/98) for attacking Anagha and another for threatening Dr Gorule (NC no 340/98).

Usually, serious offences like this one are registered as cognisable offences liable for prosecution under the Indian PenalCode.

Shinde also raced to the police and lodged complaints against Anagha (for allegedly throwing garbage in front of his house) and against Dr Gorule (for allegedly threatening him).

The Thane control room, under whose jurisdiction the Badlapur police station falls, was not aware of the incident. Apprised of the assault, the duty officer said it was not serious enough to contact the Badlapur police for details.

Director General of Police, Arvind Inamdar, told Express Newsline, "The complaint has reached me. I have had a talk with Thane Commissioner O P Bali. An inquiry has been initiated against Shinde and an officer of the rank of deputy commissioner of police is conducting the same. The report will be available in two days, after which action will be taken," the Director General of Police said.