Nine BJP workers, including Akshata Tendulkar, the Mahim Assembly president, were booked by Mumbai Police for allegedly abusing and assaulting Muslim hawkers in the Dadar market area.
The Shivaji Park police registered the case based on a complaint filed by hawker Saurabh Mishra, who claimed the incident occurred on Thursday evening.
According to the complaint, Tendulkar and eight associates visited the Dadar market near Rangoli Store and began questioning hawkers about their religion. Mishra alleged that the group asked one of his workers, Sofiyan Shahid Ali, his name to confirm his religion, then proceeded to abuse and assault him. When Ali tried to flee, the group reportedly chased and attacked him again.
Tendulkar, in her defense, stated in a media interview that their visit to the market was to raise concerns about illegal Bangladeshi nationals allegedly operating in the area using forged documents. She claimed that despite repeated complaints to the police, no action had been taken against these individuals.
She further added that local residents were frustrated and questioning the lack of response from authorities. Tendulkar said they had gone to inspect where such individuals were working and to explore possible solutions.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5) Ganesh Gawde confirmed that a case has been registered under sections 189(2), 191(2), 115(2), 351(2), and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as section 37(1) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act at Shivaji Park police station.
The police have initiated a probe into the incident, and investigations are ongoing to determine the facts and identify any violations of law committed during the incident. — With Agencies Inputs
This story was originally published in muslimmirror.com.