Goon held for rioting, not stripping woman

Shablin Gaikwad, the 45-year-old goon of Shastri Nagar slums in Vile Parle, who allegedly stripped a woman off her clothes in a crowded area on Tuesday, and his brother Suresh Gaikwad, 36, were arrested by the Airport police.

Shablin Gaikwad, the 45-year-old goon of Shastri Nagar slums in Vile Parle, who allegedly stripped a woman off her clothes in a crowded area on Tuesday, and his brother Suresh Gaikwad, 36, were arrested by the Airport police.

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The police said that they had not found any evidence suggesting that Shablin had stripped the 25-year-old victim, who is recuperating at KEM Hospital. “We have booked Shablin and his brother for rioting and unlawful assembly. More persons are wanted in the case,” said Nitin Indurkar, senior inspector, Airport police station.

The victim’s family claimed that Shablin had not assaulted her, but had dragged her to the main road after stripping her in front of hundreds of people.

According to police, the victim and the accused had a dispute since long.

On Tuesday, the accused, with his brother and some others, had reportedly assaulted the victim. When one of her two brothers intervened, he too was allegedly thrashed by Shablin and his men.

“He wanted us to vacate the house we were living in. But my sister didn't pay any heed to his threats. He had stabbed her a few months ago due to which she had sustained stitches on her abdomen,” said the victim's younger brother.

The victim and her elder brother are still recuperating at KEM Hospital.