The police on Sunday arrested an employee with a Mumbai-based construction company for allegedly attacking Right to Information activist Santosh Daundkar on Saturday.
Daundkar, who lives in the Nagpada area, was on his way home after attending a meeting, when he was accosted by the accused on Saturday night.
“The construction company against which I have been complaining to the authorities for the last three years is trying to develop a plot of land in the area illegally. They have set up an office there, and as I was passing it, a man came running out of the office and started abusing me. He threatened me against going to the police,” Mr Daundkar told this newspaper.
The assailant was joined by three others, who went on to attack Mr Daundkar, however, he managed to escape and make his way to the Nagpada police station. He then narrated the entire incident to the police.
The main attacker, later identified as Daniel Abraham, was detained for inquiries in the early hours of Sunday and subsequently placed under arrest.
“Abraham has been charged under Sections 341, 336 and 506 of the IPC,” said an officer with the Nagpada police station.
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Cellphones to be banned at Wankhede?
Gautam S. Mengle and Sharda Wadhwa
MUMBAI
Feb. 20: The Mumbai police is planning to ban cellphones inside the Wankhede stadium for the three World Cup matches scheduled there. This move comes as the Mumbai police lacks sophisticated equipment to monitor cellphones frequencies and detect if a cellphone is being used to trigger an explosion.
This newspaper had reported in November last year that the Maharashtra police still does not have sophisticated equipment like Oscilloscopes and SWR meters, which help detect modified cellphones used by terrorists. Subsequently, top police officers are considering forbidding cellphones inside the stadium altogether to eliminate any security risks.
Chhering Dorje, deputy commissioner of police, Zone I, confirmed that the issue was under consideration saying, “The issue is being discussed and no decision has been reached yet.” Mr Dorje added that all external items like food, cigarettes, lighters, etc. have already been banned inside the stadium. The police is sparing no efforts to ensure maximum security at the stadium, where three World Cup matches, including a final match, are scheduled. The intensive measures are a result of the fact that Mumbai is on the radar of terrorist outfits.