Thane, Aug 16
Police in Thane district on Sunday registered an FIR against two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporators and several others following a violent clash between activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the saffron party in the Ambernath area, officials said. The case follows a cross-complaint lodged after an earlier FIR had named MNS leaders in the same disturbance.
The complaint was filed by Suhas Ghag, who runs a pest-control business, and alleges he was attacked while transporting injured relatives and acquaintances to Shivajinagar police station on the night of August 11-12, police records show. According to the FIR, the incident at about 12:15 am on August 12 involved a group that confronted Ghag outside the police station gate.
- Accused named: BJP corporators Abhijit Karanjule and Pawan Walekar, five identified persons and several others not yet identified, as per the FIR.
- Alleged injuries and damage: The complainant said he was struck with an iron rod on his head and right hand, kicked and punched; his vehicle’s windows were broken and flower pots were thrown, causing damage.
- Legal action: Police registered the case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita; investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been reported so far.
"The complainant alleged that BJP corporators Abhijit Karanjule and Pawan Walekar, along with five identified persons and several others, attacked him," police records state.
Earlier in the sequence of events, police had registered a separate FIR naming MNS leaders after the same violent episode. The new complaint lodged by Ghag has prompted the registration of an additional FIR, effectively creating parallel investigations into the Ambernath clash, officials said.
Local police confirmed that the matter is being examined under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. A senior officer in Thane said statements are being recorded and further forensic and eyewitness inquiries will be carried out, though the officer did not provide a timeline for completion of the probe.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Night of Aug 11 | Ghag went to meet a relative in Shivajinagar amid an ongoing altercation |
| 12:15 am, Aug 12 | Ghag says his vehicle was attacked outside Shivajinagar police station gate |
| Aug 16 | Police registered FIR against BJP corporators following Ghag's complaint |
The incident has heightened political tensions in Ambernath and neighbouring wards. Ambernath, part of Thane district and a mix of residential and industrial pockets, has seen factional clashes in the past related to local party rivalry. The registration of FIRs against leaders from both sides is likely to prompt close scrutiny by civic authorities and the police, given the involvement of elected representatives.
Residents and traders in Shivajinagar and surrounding areas said the late-night altercation alarmed many; some witnesses reportedly assisted the injured and accompanied them to the police station. Police have said no arrests have been made so far and that identification of other accused named in the FIR is under way.
Thane police did not give additional comment on the progress of the probe beyond confirming that investigations are continuing. The case file names specific corporators and several identified persons; investigators will examine CCTV footage near the police station and collect medical and vehicle-damage reports as part of evidence-gathering, officials indicated.
Local political leaders were unavailable for comment when contacted. The development underscores concerns among Thane residents about political violence spilling into civic spaces such as police station premises. Authorities say they will act on evidence and arrests will follow once investigations establish culpability.
