23 June,2016 08:51 AM IST | | Neha LM Tripathi
The trio entered the aerodrome premises through the broken wall made by their fellow Nehru Nagar slum dwellers
The three drunken men, who entered the Juhu aerodrome premises on Saturday, confessed that the prime motive behind the crime was to steal wires. In view of this and other encroachment incidents in that area, deployment of Maharashtra Security Force personnel will be beefed up by next week, the order of which will be passed today by the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
Post the incident three men, Shiva Sunder Raj (22), Vijay Ranghanath (19) and Surya Rajendra (20), were arrested from whom the concertina coil (barbed wire) was recovered. They were residents of the nearby Nehru Nagar slum, which has become a menace for the Juhu aerodrome officials.
Mid-day had earlier reported about the locals breaking the perimeter walls to enter the aerodrome premises to pee. However, now if BMC has its way the locals will soon get mobile toilets.
In fact, a minor who went there to answer the nature's call also helped the police identify the culprits, albeit he was suspected initially to be involved in the crime.
"The boy was not part of the gang that assaulted the security guards. Along with the security guards, the boy also helped the police in identification," said a senior AAI official, on condition of anonymity, adding that the statement of the minor has been recorded.
The two security guards, Sadashiv Tukaram Bugade (58) and Anil Nalawade (38), have joined work but have not been assigned the usual night duty.
The incident
Three men allegedly in an inebriated state, entered the aerodrome premises via the broken wall first around 11.45 pm on Friday but Nalawade drove them away. They returned at 1 am (Saturday) and started beating the guards with wooden sticks.
Bugade had to take seven stitches on his head and Nalawade was hit on his left eye and ears. The three accused were arrested and produced in court on Sunday. They are now in judicial custody.
An FIR has been registered at the Santacruz police station under IPC section 394, 34 and 447 for voluntarily causing hurt and criminal trespass.
