In an appalling incident in Dombivli on Monday night, two women—one of whom was carrying a nine-month-old baby were brutally assaulted by a group of men and women after one of them said “excuse me” in English. An FIR was registered by the Vishnu Nagar Police on Tuesday night.
The accused have been identified as Anil Pawar (40), Deepa Pawar (36), Babasaheb Dabhale (41) and his wife, Ritesh Dabhale (22), Mangal Dabhale (38), and Gauri Dabhale (20).
Police said a case was filed by one of the victims, Pooja Gupta, under sections 118(1), 115(2), 352, 351(2), 324(4), 191(2), 191(3), 190, 189(2), 189(4), and 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The women, Geeta Chauhan (38) and Poonam Gupta, were on a two-wheeler, with the latter riding pillion along with her nine-month-old child. When they attempted to enter their building Ganesh Shraddha in Vishnu Nagar, Dombivli (W)—at around 9:45 p.m., they found the gate blocked by their neighbours Anil Pawar (40), Babasaheb Dabhale (41), and Ritesh Dabhale (22).
Chauhan said “excuse me” to them while requesting that they clear the entrance. The use of English reportedly enraged the trio, who then dragged the women and the child off the scooter and beat them with sticks. Several women also joined in the assault.
The entire incident was captured on video by a bystander and later went viral on social media, provoking widespread outrage. The victims, who are originally from northern India, said the attackers showed no concern for the baby’s safety.
Initially, the Vishnu Nagar Police registered only a non-cognisable (NC) complaint instead of an FIR for criminal assault and outraging modesty. However, following public pressure and after recording the victims’ statements, police finally registered an FIR against the Pawar and Dabhale family members on Tuesday.
Eyewitnesses said the attack was completely unprovoked and the accused displayed no remorse. “'Excuse me' is a basic courtesy, and the reaction from the accused was completely unwarranted,” said one of the complainants.
Sachin Lokhande, Assistant Police Inspector at Vishnu Nagar Police Station, said, “We have filed an FIR against the accused. Notices have been issued for them to appear at the police station and record their statements. No arrests have been made yet. Further investigation is underway.”
