Sainiks thrash pastor, Sena says road rage to blame

The 42-year-old priest suffered extensive bruises on his neck, arms, shoulders and legs on Thursday when he was attacked by a group led by former Shiv Sena shakha pramukh Pradip Khade. Police say it was an incident of road rage that spun out of control.

Verghese in the past had never even exchanged a word with Khade. So what provoked the attack? It was around 6 pm. ‘‘I was in my van and he was on a motorcycle behind me. He stopped me and began abusing me. He tried to open my door but I had locked it. I drove on and reached the main gate of my housing society,’’ says Verghese.

The pastor says that Khade, who followed him, was dead drunk. He kept on saying: ‘‘Bada church banaya, mein dekhoonga.’’ Khade hit him three to four times and then some men came and dragged the assailant away. He returned 20-25 minutes later, with 10-15 others. This time, Jacqueline, the pastor’s wife, and their son Blaise too were attacked.

The men damaged the van and beat down the main door of the house. They dragged the priest outside and started raining blows on him. One of them picked up a piece of broken glass and slashed the pastor on the leg.

Police did not turn up till 9 pm. Police inspector J.N. Kadhare says: ‘‘The accused are no longer in police custody. They were produced before a magistrate and remanded to magisterial custody. I do not know whether they have been granted bail.’’

Shiv Sena district president Raghunath More says the fight was ‘‘personal’’ and had nothing to do with the political party.

‘‘There was a fight over some traffic accident. It has nothing to do with the party. But whatever happened is regrettable.’’