Mumbai Police register case against Shinde Sena MLA for assaulting canteen worker

The Mumbai Police on Friday registered a non-cognisable complaint against Shiv Sena legislator Sanjay Gaikwad for assaulting an employee of a canteen at the MLAs’ hostel in Mumbai after claiming that he was served stale food, The Indian Express reported.

A non-cognisable complaint means that the police cannot arrest Gaikwad without a warrant. The police also need permission from a court to start an investigation.

A video of Gaikwad assaulting the canteen workers on Tuesday had been widely circulated on social media. In the video, the MLA, who represents Buldhana, was seen berating the operator of the canteen, refusing to pay the bill, and slapping and punching the staff member.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had called Gaikwad’s actions “unacceptable” and asked Legislative Council Chairperson Ram Shinde and Speaker Rahul Narwekar to take cognisance of the matter. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also said that he had reprimanded the MLA.

On Friday, the Marine Drive Police Station filed a suo motu non-cognisable complaint against Gaikwad and his aide, who was also seen assaulting the canteen worker in the video, The Indian Express reported.

An unidentified police officer told the newspaper that the complaint was filed under sections dealing with voluntarily causing hurt and insulting a person with the intent to provoke breach of peace, among others.

The Shinde Sena MLA had told PTI on...

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