Four people were arrested on Thursday in connection with an attack on Mumbai Youth President of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi Party Parmeshwar Ranshur and party leader Gautam Haral. Ranshur and Haral were attacked by four unknown individuals with knives and iron bars. Police have registered a case under sections 07 (Attempt to murder), 326 (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The attack on the leaders took place on Saturday in the Dadar area of Mumbai. After the attack, they were admitted to a hospital for treatment, reported news agency ANI.
Following the attack, Mumbai Police launched an investigation into the matter during which it was revealed that the attackers were hired by Siddhant, the son of former Panvel Deputy Mayor Jagdish Gaikwad. It was found that Siddhant handed Rs 5 lakhs to the gunman employed for the assault.
A manhunt has been launched for Santosh Bacchi, who is believed to have accepted the contract money for the task. Meanwhile, the four held were identified as Rajesh Hathankar, Nazir Sayyed, Saakib Qureshi and Yadav. Police said Hathankar is a former member of the defunct Salem gang, who has two murder cases against him, according to the Times of India.
Why Did Siddhant Hire Goons To Attack Ranshur?
Gaikwad and Ranshur had been having differences between them since November last year. Gaikwad had said something about Prakash Ambedkar following which Ranshur was on the lookout for him.
A few months back, Ranshur had even had a physical fight with Gaikwad in the Chunabhatti area of Mumbai. Sources told that Ranshoor was made the Mumbai Youth President after this feud. Gaikwad's son Siddhant got furious after this development and planned to kill him.
In another incident, Mumbai police on April 22 arrested four Shiv Sena members including former city mayor Vishwanath Maheshwar for allegedly vandalising Maharashtra BJP leader Kirti Somaiya’s car over that weekend, the news agency PTI reported. According to a Khar police station official, Shiv Sena corporator Haji Haleem Khan and party activist Dinesh Kunal were also among those who were arrested on Monday afternoon. Maheshwar, however, was granted bail on medical grounds later.