Somaiya’s driver booked for rash driving, injuring two Sena workers

MUMBAI: The driver of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya was on Sunday booked for allegedly driving in rash and negligent manner, resulting in minor injuries to a Shiv Sena corporator and a party worker, Mumbai Police said.

Somaiya also filed a police complaint against some Shiv Sena workers alleging they hurled abuses at him and pelted stones at his car when he had gone to meet arrested lawmaker couple from Amravati, MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana.

On Sunday, Khar police registered an FIR against Somaiya’s driver under sections 279 (rash driving) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). No arrest has been made yet, police said.

The FIR was filed on the complaint of former Mumbai mayor and Sena leader Vishwanath Mahadeshwar. The incident took place on Saturday night when Somaiya was returning from Khar police station after meeting the Ranas following their arrest.

Somaiya, meanwhile, claimed 60 to 70 Sena workers pelted stones at his car. A video shared by him on social media showed a window of his car shattered and an injury on his chin. He tweeted Sena workers tried to kill him in the presence of police.

Senior police inspector Rajesh Devare said Somiaya’s statement was recorded at Bandra police station in the presence of his lawyer. “The FIR has not been filed as Somaiya did not sign his statement. We will request him again.”

Speaking to reporters in Pune on Sunday, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said. “We will take up with the Union home secretary the issue of Mumbai police’s failure to protect Somaiya, who enjoys ‘Z’ category security cover.”