HC lawyer alleges attack by gangsters in Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 17: An advocate practising at Bombay High Court was allegedly attacked by gangsters in suburban Sion for standing up to their illegal activities in the area, police said today.

Following the incident on Wednesday, an attempt to murder case was registered against members of DK Rao gang, said inspector Kolam of Antop Hill police station. The victim, identified as Charanjeet Chanderpal, claimed he was attacked by a group of assailants who tried to slit his throat.

"I survived because I retaliated. The dagger cut my lips and cheeks rather than throat," said Chanderpal, who received 26 stitches in the attack. Chanderpal claimed he has been practising at Bombay HC for over two decades. "The reason for which I was being targeted by Sattu, a close aide of Rao, and his men was that I have tried to stop most of their illegal activities in Sion and Antop Hill areas by personally complaining to the commissioner of police," said Chanderpal.

Chanderpal said criminal activities in the Antop Hill area have steadily been on the rise in the past few years. "At least one murder takes place everyday, while incidents of the damage to someone's car or property happens every alternate day," he claimed.

He added that, along with members of his housing society, he had filed a PIL in the HC last year over the menace. HC heard the PIL in January and directed local police to beef up security and increase patrolling in the area, especially during nights, he said.

"Such practice by police continued for three months and stopped abruptly last month, following which I was attacked," said Chanderpal. A case under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC was registered against unidentified persons in this connection, police said, adding, however, that no arrests have been made so far.

PTI