Malvani corporator’s relatives assault three women

Three women were allegedly manhandled and beaten by the family members of a corporator at Malvani when they did not attend a meeting organised by the corporator.

Three women were allegedly manhandled and beaten by the family members of a corporator at Malvani when they did not attend a meeting organised by the corporator.

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Nilofar Sheikh (37), her aunt, Hawa Bi (50) and her aunt’s daughter, Fatima (25) were allegedly attacked by two men, Austin Gracias and his son Melroy, as the women had not attended a meeting organised by Austin’s daughter, NCP corporator Sarika Gracias, that was held on April 6. Both families are residents of Malvani.

The meeting in question began in the evening and went on till 11 pm.

Nilofar said that she did not attend the meeting as she was ill.

According to her at around 11.45 pm, Austin and Melroy entered her house and started assaulting her for not attending the meeting. “They kept on assaulting me until my two sisters and one of my aunts intervened,” alleged Nilofar.

On April 7 the Malvani police registered a non-cognizable complaint against the father-son duo.

On the same day, two of Nilofar’s relatives, Hawa Bi and Fatima were also allegedly attacked by the Austin and Melroy and were beaten for almost an hour.

The men backed off only after some local residents intervened.

The next day, the three victims approached Sanjay Bannerjee, deputy commissioner of police, Zone XI with the complaint and submitted an application for police protection to him which they were later provided with.

“The women are trying to frame my family members and I have no idea of any

such attack,” said Sarika Gracias, the NCP corporator from Malvani adding that the meeting was meant for the office-bearers. No outsiders were in attendance.