Journalist attacked by unknown assailants in Kharghar
Sudhir Suryanvanshi, A journalist attached to a national daily, was assaulted along with his friend Santosh Fatate at Kharghar on Friday afternoon over personal enmity with their housing society members.
The incident took place at Shiv chowk at Kharghar at 12:30 p.m. They had visited Kharghar for some personal work of Fatate. The assailants who had been following the duo on two motorcycles intercepted and punctured the tyres of Khatate’s car at Shiv chowk and assaulted them with baseball bats. The duo had travelled from their residence at Kalpataru society at Panvel to Kharghar. After the attack, the assailants fled away immediately from the spot on their motorcycle. The undidentified attackers had covered their faces with handkerchiefs.
According to Senior Police Inspector, Dip Kale, Kharghar police station, “Suryavanshi and Fatate were attacked due to a personal enmity over a society election matter which took place a month ago at Kalpataru society at Panvel. A First Information Report has been registered at Kharghar police station. The four accused have not been identified as yet. There are no CCTV footages available in this case as of now.”
The Kharghar police registered an FIR after recording Suryawanshi's statement. Sudhir has fractured his right hand while Santosh sustained minor injuries on his right hand. They are presently undergoing treatment at Medicity hospital at Kharghar.
The Mumbai Press Club informed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who issued directives to the police department to search for the culprits. When Member of Legislative Council Anant Gadgil raised the issue in the Upper House, Minister of State for Home, Dr. Ranjit Patil assured stern action.
The Press Club also took up the matter with Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale who asked senior officers to arrest the assailants as early as possible.
An FIR has been registered at Kharghar police station. The four accused have not been identified and There are no CCTV footages available.