Congress leader held for threatening media baron

Congress leader Harbans Singh was arrested on Sunday and later released on bail for allegedly threatening Indian Express (Mumbai) group chairman Vivek Goenka over a traffic issue.

Congress leader Harbans Singh was arrested on Sunday and later released on bail for allegedly threatening Indian Express (Mumbai) group chairman Vivek Goenka over a traffic issue.

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The altercation took place on October 8 at the Sanpada traffic signal on Sion-Panvel highway around 9.45am.

Goenka’s chauffeur-driven Land Cruiser was ahead of Singh’s Ford Endevour at the traffic signal.

“Goenka’s driver, Katru Bhore, said Singh, his armed bodyguard, driver, and his peon abused him and his boss. They threatened them with a gun because he did not give them way at the traffic signal where Singh wanted to take a right turn,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Dudhe.

The police claimed that they couldn’t find Singh when they went looking for him at his office and residence in Vashi. However, the Congress leader turned up at the Turbhe police station on Sunday morning, following which he was arrested and taken to CBD court. The court later granted him and three others bail.

Singh’s associates have dismissed the allegations. TP Singh, a close confidante of Singh, said: “Goenka’s vehicle was in the wrong lane. The lane is for those wanting to take turn right. The signal had turned green, but Goenka’s driver refused to give them way.”

Denying that Singh had absconded, TP Singh said, “He had left for a meeting and had no idea about the complaint.”

Goenka’s office refused to comment on the issue.

Kumar Ketkar, editor of Loksatta, the Indian Express group newspaper, said: “The chairman keeps a very low profile and never raises his voice. He is happy with the police action. The law will take its own course.”