Leopard attack survivor: 10-yr-old still waiting for MLA to fulfil his promise

Almost nine months after 10-year-old Sunil Rajesh Bhor survived a brutal leopard attack, he is still waiting for Shiv Sena MLA Ravindra Waikar to make good on his promise of taking care of his education.

Shiv Sena MLA Ravindra Waikar had assured Sunil's family that he will look after his school and college expenses

In October 2013, Sunil suffered injuries on his left thigh, back and stomach, when a leopard in Aarey Milk Colony attacked him when he was going home. While the Thane Forest Department handed over the compensation cheque to his family, during the meeting, the Sena MLA had promised to look after the Std IV student's school and college expenses.

However, last week, when mid-day visited the Navpada area where Sunil lives with his widowed aunt and father, this reporter found out that the 10-year-old is still waiting for the MLA to fulfil his promise. "We had hoped that the people who had promised us about helping Sunil's education would fulfil it, but nothing has been done till date," said Sunil's aunt.

Sunil, who attends school at Marol Police Camp, had a narrow escape after he was attacked by the leopard on October 1, 2013, the same day when a girl was killed at Khadakpada. The leopard had pounced on the kid while he was returning home from the rice field with his father.

Narrating the story, Sunil said, "My father was walking a few feet behind when the leopard attacked. I did not even get a chance to shout for help. Luckily my father saw and shouted loudly, after which the leopard ran away." Despite several attempts to reach Ravindra Waikar, he remained unavailable for comment.