Four drunk men arrested for attacking constable in Thane

THANE: Four people were arrested for attacking a police constable on Thursday at Vartak Nagar.

Two among the four men had gone to Apsara bar on Pokhran Road a week ago on April 14.

Arun Venkatesh Jetlu, 28, and Swapnil Dnyaneshwar Dabne, 22, had gone drinking at Apsara bar. As the bar was about to shut, the bar owner stopped the live orchestra.

The two got into an argument and wanted the music to continue. The bar owner, Vinod Gaud, requested them to leave the bar as it was time to shut the bar.

Deputy commissioner of police V Chandanshive said, “As they were asked to leave, the duo got angry. They abused the bar owner, who slapped one of them and asked him to leave. They threatened the bar owner and left.”

The two returned to the bar on Wednesday but the manager was not there.

On Thursday around 12.15am, the duo came to the bar again along with their friends Vaibhav Ankush Latke, 18, and Akash Sanjay Mohite,19.

Gaud was present at the bar and they again argued with him. As they were about to attack him, Gaud went inside and called up the police.

Chandanshive said: “Meanwhile, constable Bhaskar Sonawane from Kopri police station was around the area in his civil clothes. He saw a lot of commotion. The four were abusing the owner, who had run outside the bar for his safety.”

Jetlu took hold of a beer bottle. When Sonawane tried to intervene and stop the others from attacking Gaud, Jetlu hit him on his head. The others beat him with sticks.

After the incident, the four fled from the spot. “We have arrested all the four accused. They have been booked under section 307 (attempt to murder) and other relevant sections of rioting Act. Sonawane has been admitted to Fortis hospital at Mulund and his condition is serious.”

Sonawane lives at Kopar Khairane in Navi Mumbai.

The four accused, all residents of Vartak Nagar area, will be produced in court on Friday.