Accident – Death – Obituary News : ![](https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/msid-106068744,width-1070,height-580,imgsize-34318,resizemode-75,overlay-toi_sw,pt-32,y_pad-40/photo.jpg)
THANE: A 34-year-old man, identified as Ashwajit Gaikwad, along with his two aides, Romil Patil and Sagar Shedge, were arrested on Sunday night for allegedly assaulting his 26-year-old girlfriend, a beautician and social media influencer, outside a hotel on Ghodbunder Road earlier last week. The arrest was made by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone V, Amar Singh Jadhav.
The accused have been booked under sections 323, 279, 338, 504, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. Two SUVs allegedly used in the crime have also been seized for further investigation. It is important to note that these sections are bailable, informed Jadhav.
Thane Police Commissioner Jai Jeet Singh formed a special investigation team (SIT) led by Jadhav, and the arrest was made within 12 hours of its formation.
Sources close to Gaikwad revealed that he is the youngest of three brothers and runs a chain of restaurants in Thane with one of his siblings. He also holds a prominent position in a political party’s youth wing and is related to a senior sitting Member of Parliament from the state.
The victim, who claimed to have been in a relationship with Gaikwad for the past four years, accused him of assaulting her and attempting to run her over with his SUV during an argument outside a well-known hotel on Ghodbunder Road in the early hours of December 11. She was admitted to a private hospital for treatment.
Following the arrest, Jadhav stated that the SIT will continue to gather and analyze forensic evidence, access CCTV footage, and collect technical data, among other pieces of evidence, as part of the investigation. He further added, “Statements of witnesses are being recorded, and further sections of the law will be added if additional facts are disclosed during the course of the investigation.”
Initially, Gaikwad refuted the allegations and claimed that the victim was attempting to extort money from him.
Speaking from the hospital, the victim questioned whether the police were under any pressure. Her lawyer, Darshana Pawar, requested the Thane police to charge Gaikwad with attempted murder.
Meanwhile, Ambadas Danve, a Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC and leader of the opposition in the legislative council, visited the victim in the private hospital on Sunday evening. He stated that if the police fail to include section 307 (attempt to murder) in the case, he will raise the issue in the council. Danve also added, “It seems the police is trying to downplay the incident even though it clearly shows that it was an attempt on her life. Our party will stand behind the victim until she gets justice.”
The 34-year-old son of a senior state bureaucrat, Ashwajit Gaikwad, has been arrested in Thane along with his two aides, Romil Patil and Sagar Shedge, for allegedly assaulting his 26-year-old girlfriend, a beautician and social media influencer. The incident took place outside a hotel on Ghodbunder Road last week. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone V, Amar Singh Jadhav, confirmed the arrest.
The accused have been charged under sections 323, 279, 338, 504, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The police have also seized two vehicles allegedly used in the crime. However, it is important to note that these sections are bailable, according to Jadhav.
The swift arrest came after Thane Police Commissioner Jai Jeet Singh formed a special investigation team (SIT) led by Jadhav to look into the matter.
Sources close to Gaikwad revealed that he is the youngest of three brothers and operates a chain of restaurants in Thane with one of his siblings. He also holds a prominent position in a political party’s youth wing and is related to a senior sitting Member of Parliament from the state.
The victim, who claimed to have been in a relationship with Gaikwad for the past four years, accused him of assaulting her and attempting to run her over with his SUV following an argument outside a well-known hotel on Ghodbunder Road in the early hours of December 11. She was admitted to a private hospital for treatment.
Following the arrest, Jadhav stated that the SIT will continue to gather and analyze forensic evidence, access CCTV footage, and collect technical data as part of the investigation. He also mentioned that additional sections of the law may be added if new facts emerge during the course of the investigation.
Initially, Gaikwad denied the allegations and claimed that the victim was attempting to extort money from him.
The victim, speaking from the hospital, questioned whether the police were under any pressure. Her lawyer, Darshana Pawar, requested the Thane police to charge Gaikwad with attempted murder.
Meanwhile, Ambadas Danve, a Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC and leader of the opposition in the legislative council, visited the victim in the private hospital on Sunday evening. He expressed his intention to raise the issue in the council if the police fail to include section 307 (attempt to murder) in the case. Danve also stated that it appears the police are downplaying the incident, despite clear evidence of an attempt on the victim’s life. He assured the victim that his party will support her until she gets justice..