Bhiwandi violence: BJP MLA's kin booked for murder, rioting, maharashtra

Thane, May 15: A day after RPI activists went on a rampage in Bhiwandi following the death of its Dalit member Vicky Dhepe, police has registered cases of rioting-related offences against unidentified persons even as a close relative of a local BJP MLA has been booked for the murder, police said today.

According to police, four offences of rioting were registered against the 100-plus armed mob which damaged number of vehicles, including two police jeeps yesterday.

Bhiwandi Police Control Room told PTI that 2 offences were registered with Narpoli police station last night while one each at Bhoiwada and Bhiwandi city police station.

However, no arrests have been made in connection either with the attack on Dhepe and others or the riots. Yesterday, more than 30 vehicles including cars, two-wheelers and police vans were torched in Bhiwandi by an irate mob consisting of activists of Republican Party of India (RPI).

The activists also vandalised two offices of Bhiwandi BJP MLA Mahesh Chougule, whose close relative Raju Chougule was booked in the assault case. Banners put by Chougule were also pulled down, according to sources in Police Control Room.

Meanwhile, the bandh call given by RPI city unit in Bhiwandi to protest the killing of the activist was total. All establishments remained shut since early morning. Also, vehicular traffic remained affected in the powerloom town.

According to Thane DCP (Crime) Parag Manere, the bandh has been peaceful so far and the situation is now normal and under control.

The trouble in the powerloom town, about 50 km from here, began yesterday when news came in that Dhepe, who was seriously injured in the May 11 attack, succumbed to his injuries at the St George Hospital in Mumbai, sources said.

Dhepe and a few others were assaulted by a group of youth armed with iron rods and choppers, police said adding Chougule's son was allegedly involved in the attack.

The youth were suspected to be members of BJP. Police had then filed a case under IPC sections related to attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, breach of peace and also the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against nearly two dozen, people including the MLA's relative.

Now, they have been booked under the IPC 302. The attack on Dhepe and other RPI workers was fallout of political rivalry, police said. The last rites of the activist will be conducted later in the day.

PTI