Mumbai policewoman assaulted for wearing 'gown' to temple

Kalyan East resident accosts Mumbai policewoman for allegedly wearing 'gown' to temple; cops launch probe after CCTV footage show the women getting into a scuffle, which sub-inspector Pratiksha Lakde justifies as self-defence

Mumbai police sub-inspector Pratiksha Lakde, 30, visited the Jarimari Mandir at Kalyan East with her mother and son, 2, only to be stunned into silence. Following darshan inside the temple, Lakde stepped out to be accosted by a woman, who asked her to leave the premises, as she was "improperly dressed in a gown". A brawl followed, after which both the women have registered non-cognisable (NC) offence cases at Kolshewadi police station.

CCTV footage of the brawl showing Pratiksha Lakde (in blue) assault Asha Gaikwad following the tiff

The scuffle

The incident took place on Tuesday evening around 7 pm, near Tees Gaon in Kalyan East. Speaking to mid-day, Lakde, who is placed with the CID division of Mumbai police, said, "Locals have put up a notice inside the temple premises dissuading people from visiting the temple wearing gowns. On Tuesday, while aarti was on inside the mandir, my son ran outside to play. After I stepped out to take him inside the temple again, this woman approached me and said that I am improperly dressed, so, I need to leave the premises. She started abusing me saying that I had worn a nightgown to the temple. She blocked my way and refused to let me enter the temple again."

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The local woman has been identified as Asha Gaikwad, who is in her fifties. CCTV grabs available with mid-day clearly show that Lakde was dressed in a T-shirt and a long skirt. "I kept telling the woman that I am properly dressed in a long skirt and a T-shirt, but she wouldn't listen to me. When she started using abusive words and profanities, I lost my cool because my toddler was also nearby and I didn't want him to listen to such filthy language."

CCTV footage show Lakde assaulting Gaikwad following the altercation. But, defending her actions, Lakde said, "The woman was pulling my t-shirt and skirt to prove that I was dressed in a gown. I had to fight back in self-defence. My son, even though he was petrified, tried to come between us to stop the brawl, but I safely placed him aside and got him out of harm's way. But, the woman still continued to verbally abuse me."

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The notice specifying the dress code on the temple premises

Copspeak
Kolshewadi police confirmed that following the incident, both Gaikwad and Lakde had filed NC cases against each other. A senior cop from the police station said, "We are investigating the matter to figure out what started the scuffle. We have got the CCTV footage, which will shed some light on the case."

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