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Assailants were armed with knives, cement blocks and chilli powder, says Ekbote
Three among the 40-50 people cited by Ekbote have been identified as Pandit Modak, owner of a local “gaushala”, his son Vivek Modak, and Nikhil Darekar
The people booked for roughing up Milind Ekbote, Samasta Hindu Aghadi president, carried knives, chilli powder and cement blocks with them, according to the complaint filed by Ekbote. The incident happened at a temple in Zendewadi, Saswad during the late hours of Tuesday.
A source at Saswad police station on condition of anonymity claims that Ekbote, who identifies himself as the head of western Maharashtra operation of “gaurakshak sangh” with the mission to save cows, and one of the accused used to work together as gaurakshaks before they fell out.
Three among the 40-50 people cited by Ekbote have been identified as Pandit Modak, owner of a local “gaushala”, his son Vivek Modak, and Nikhil Darekar.
Assistant sub-inspector S Jagtap of Saswad police station, who is investigating the case, said, “Ekbote said he was sitting with his followers and eating ‘prasad’ in a shed close to the Maruti temple after delivering a pravachan (speech) when the incident took place. He had spoken at a function to commemorate the death anniversary of Sitaram Baba Maharaj.”
The police are on a lookout for the Modak son-father duo and Darekar.
“In his complaint, Ekbote has referred to a Facebook post that he had put up at least a month ago against Modak’s organisation. He claims that it was about “corruption” at Modak’s gaushala. However, as the post is unavailable on social media, it is not possible to confirm its veracity independently,” said Jagtap.
A case under Sections 143, 147, 149, 323, 504, 506 and 295(a) (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act was registered against the accused.
