6 held for attack on Malad family at toll naka

The Virar police have arrested six persons for assaulting a 59-year-old man and his son near the toll naka between Mumbai and Manor on January 5.

The Virar police have arrested six persons for assaulting a 59-year-old man and his son near the toll naka between Mumbai and Manor on January 5.

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The arrested men have been identified as Sachin Kotawarekar, Ganesh Kuparkar, Amey Takke, Ajit Yadav, Gurrapa Ismail Tadvi, and Ganesh Satpal. The men were produced in court and remanded in police custody.

Hindustan Times had reported on January 8 about how the men employed at the tollbooth had allegedly attacked Vasantrai Gohil, 59, a Malad (East) resident, with iron rods when he demanded Rs 3 change that was due to him.

However, the police claim that the Gohils have not been very cooperative during the investigation. “The son, Vijay, 26, identified only two men,” said Yusuf Bagwan, inspector, Virar police station. “It was very difficult to identify the remaining four out of the hundreds employed at the tollbooth.

When we asked Vijay to come and identify the remaining accused, he told us that it was the job of the police and not his.”

Bagwan said the two men detained earlier helped them trace the other accused.

According to Gohil’s complaint, the toll fee is Rs 47. However, the men employed at the tollbooth often take Rs 50 or Rs 100 and refuse to return the change.