Sub-inspector suspended for instigating gaurakshaks to pelt stones at cops’ homes in Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A sub-inspector serving with the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city police's crime branch was suspended on Thursday evening after being named as an accused in a case of rioting and assault on policemen during a clash over alleged illegal cow transport near Sawangi the night before.On receiving a written report from the Rural police about sub-inspector Navnath Patwadkar's alleged instigation, aggressive and abusive behaviour with the police officers, city police commissioner Pravin Pawar placed him under suspension. Rural superintendent of police Vinaykumar Rathod has appointed Karmad inspector Samratsingh Rajput as the investigation officer to ensure a fair probe in the FIR registered against 25 suspects, including Patwadkar, four identified and 20 unidentified gaurakshaks. The FIR was lodged by constable Anil Madanrsingh Ghusinge (38), attached to the Phulambri police station.A case was registered on Wednesday under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 189(2), 190, 191(2), 121(1), 121(2), 132, 46, 126(2), 324(4), 352, 351(2) and 287 against the accused. CP Pawar told TOI, "We have suspended Patwadkar and ordered a preliminary inquiry against him to be conducted by ACP (crime)."An officer from the city police said, "Recently, he was deputed for police recruitment drive, but he went on sick leave till completion of the recruitment drive and resumed duty only on Monday."According to the complaint, police was alerted about a pickup vehicle allegedly transporting cattle for slaughter from Vaijapur via Samruddhi toll naka at Savangi at 8.19pm on Tuesday. When police reached the spot around 8.55pm, they found 20-25 self-proclaimed ‘gaurakshaks'. They claimed of chasing the pickup vehicle for nearly 10km suspecting illegal transport of cattle. The vehicle driver allegedly lost control due to the aggressive tailing and rammed into a hillock after landing in a ditch. Seven cattle were found in the vehicle.As inspector Sanjay Sahane initiated legal action, the mob allegedly turned violent and abused policemen, and damaged the pickup vehicle by pelting stones and smashing its windows with wooden sticks. Later, 150-200 people gathered outside Phulambri police station. The FIR alleges that Patodkar, in civil dress, instigated the crowd against police officers, allegedly provoking them to target the homes of officers and using abusive language. He also allegedly slapped the complainant.Phulambri inspector Sanjay Sahane told TOI, "The accused sub-inspector reached there in civil dress and was instigating the mob of gaurakshaks to pelt stones at the homes of policemen and officers. He was also abusive. As far as the pickup is concerned, an FIR has also been registered against the driver and owner for cruelty to animals. Seven cattle have been handed over to the gaushala"