Four booked in Malkapur's Belad after Diwali firecracker row, molestation of young woman alleged

A case of assault and molestation during Diwali has come to light in Belad village of Malkapur taluka, Buldhana district. A dispute over bursting firecrackers near a house turned into a scuffle between two groups. Malkapur City police station has registered a case against four men under several serious sections, including the POCSO Act.

According to the complaint, a man had come to his village for the Diwali holidays. On Sunday night at about 7.30 pm, some people in front of his house were throwing firecrackers towards it. The complainant objected and asked them not to throw firecrackers towards his house. Holding a grudge over this, the group began beating him.

The complaint alleges that the accused Roshan Manikrao Sambhare was the first to punch him. Deepak Manikrao Sambhare is alleged to have punched him below the nose and below the eye. When the complainant's nephew ran in to stop the fight, all the accused beat him with slaps and punches.

According to the complaint lodged with police, Pappu Arun Sambhare struck the nephew on the head with a bracelet he was wearing, causing a deep head injury. A young woman of the household also arrived to settle the dispute. It is alleged that Pappu Sambhare pulled at the pallu of her sari, causing her to fall. When she got up, the accused Roshan Sambhare embraced her with bad intent. All the accused then fled the spot.

Police said the case was registered on the basis of the complaint and a medical certificate. The named accused are Deepak Manikrao Sambhare (22), Roshan Manikrao Sambhare (25), Harish Shrikrishna Sambhare (24) and Pappu Arun Sambhare. All are reported to be residents of Belad, Malkapur taluka. Sub-Inspector Satish Bele is investigating the case further.