New Delhi: Mumbai Police on Saturday arrested two persons in connection with the attack on Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Sandeep Deshpande, news agency ANI reported.
According to police, the two arrested persons have been identified as Ashok Kharat and Kisan Solanki. Kharat was allegedly the mastermind of the attack and is associated with Maharashtra Rajya Mathadi Kamgar Union. Police are searching for two more in connection to the case, ANI reported.
Deshpande while talking to ANI, said, "Yesterday at Shivaji Park's Gate no. 5, I was attacked using a stump. Police are looking into the matter. I was going to expose the corruption in govt that took place during Covid. Probably they got to know about this. I don't need security."
It is to be noted that the MNS leader was allegedly attacked by a group of five men who wore masks and were armed with hockey sticks and cricket stumps. Sandeep Deshpande sustained injuries on his hands and legs. He was admitted to a nearby hospital and was discharged after being administered first aid.
The incident took place while the MNS leader was out for morning walk at Shivaji Park in Mumbai’s Dadar area on Friday.
A First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Shivaji Park police station following which the police launched an investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, MNS workers have said that they will respond to this attack in their own style.
Earlier in the day, Mumbai Police detained four persons in connection to the incident, ANI reported.
In another similar event, a Shiv Sena leader Sachin Bhosle was attacked while he was campaigning for the recently concluded bypolls in Pune. Reportedly, a group of individuals approached him to ask questions about his campaign.
When he started interacting with that group, one of them allegedly punched him on the face due to which he fell on the ground.
After the attackers fled the spot, Bhosle was taken to a hospital. He sustained injuries on his face and body, as per reports.