Thane: Five booked for assaulting auto driver, forcing hate speech

The complainant, Mohammed Sajid Khan

The Thane police have registered a case against five individuals for assaulting an auto-rickshaw driver and forcing him to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram'. They also looted Rs 2,000 from him, leading to a dacoity case being filed. Following the incident, residents of Mumbra demanded strict action against the accused to prevent any communal tension in the area.

The complainant, Mohammed Sajid Khan, 46, an auto-rickshaw driver residing in Mumbra, stated that he usually ferries passengers from Mumbra railway station to the Shilphata area. On February 15, following his routine, Khan left his home at 12.30 pm and picked up a fare for Bhiwandi and left back for home at 9 pm. The incident happened aronud 11 pm.

Recounting the incident, Khan said, "When I stopped to pick up a passenger ahead of the stand, Hitesh Vaskar, also known as Bhau, along with four others, began abusing and assaulting me. They threw away my skull cap, and asked me to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram'," He added that they vandalised his auto-rickshaw, and stole Rs 2,000 from it. Khan promptly reported the incident to the police.

The Shil Daighar police registered a case early on Friday under sections 395, 295(A), and 34 of the Indian Penal Code against Hitesh Vaskar and four others. A sizable crowd gathered at the police station in support of Khan until the case was registered. Following Friday prayers, the deputy commissioner of police and assistant commissioner of police visited Mumbra, assuring residents of the arrest of all accused and action against them.

Subhash Burse, deputy commissioner of police, Thane city, Zone 1, said, "We have registered a case and are further investigating the matter. The accused involved in the crime will be arrested soon." Saif Pathan, president of AIMIM for Kalwa Mumbra Vidhan Sabha, said, "Senior officers of Thane police have assured us that strict action will be taken against the perpetrator of the hate crime. This is not the first time he has committed such acts of hatred. The police should consider exiling such anti-social elements to prevent communal tensions from escalating. The police should investigate his extortion racket at the rickshaw stand."

Jaffar Shaikh, a social activist from Mumbra, said, "This is the third time the accused Hitesh has committed such acts of hatred. Mumbra has not experienced any communal tensions in recent years. Are the police waiting for a major incident to occur before taking action, or will they arrest the accused and ensure he is not seen in the jurisdiction again?"

Rs 2,000
Amount stolen by the accused