Court summons MLA Kshitij Thakur for abusing traffic cop

Taking cognisance of a complaint filed against a Maharashtra legislator for allegedly hurling abuses at a police officer, a local court has issued summons to the MLA to appear before it.u00a0

The Metropolitan Magistrate Court at Bhoiwada in Dadar observed that prima-facie a case exists against MLA Kshitij Thakur for offence under Section 294 (uttering of obscene words), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) and issued him summons to appear before it by February 2014.

MLA Kshitij Thakur. File Pic

The order was issued by the court on Monday on a complaint filed by social activist Santosh Daundkar through his advocate Aabha Singh.

According to the complaint, on March 18 this year, Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Suryavanshi (38), of Worli Traffic Branch had intercepted Thakur for over-speeding at the Sea Link. The MLA got annoyed and hurled abuses at the PSI.

The complaint said the incident was reported to Traffic Police Branch, which sent a detailed report to seniors.

However, instead of taking action against the MLA, he was let off.

The next day, Thakur along with others allegedly assaulted Suryawanshi in the state Assembly premises where the latter had gone in response to summons issued to him by the Speaker. Thakur was suspended from the Assembly for the act. However, he was later reinstated.

Daundkar told the court that when he learnt that the said report of traffic police branch was dumped, an application was made by him to file a separate FIR.

However, though there was an official report prepared by the Traffic Police Branch, Worli, that filthy abuses were hurled by the MLA on a police personnel in uniform, no FIR was registered, the complaint said.

The police have already registered a case against Thakur and another MLA Ram Kadam for assaulting Suryawanshi inside the state Legislature complex.

On March 19, an FIR was registered at Marine Drive police station against Thakur (Independent), Kadam (MNS) and 14 others for allegedly beating up the 31-year-old police sub inspector inside Vidhan Bhavan premises. Later, the Crime Branch took over the probe. They were granted bail on March 25.