Tension prevailed in the Malwani area of Malad after one of its residents was found to have been molesting his 18-year-old daughter repeatedly for the last three years. The man’s enraged neighbours assaulted him and blackened his face before dragging him to the police station; the police had to impose bandobast to ensure peace in the area.
According to the Malwani police, the incident occurred at around 9 am on Sunday. While the police is still unsure as to exactly how the news spread, a mob of residents marched over to the residence of Harkishan Patwa (40), who lives in Malwani with his wife, son and daughter. They dragged him out of the house and started assaulting him, saying that they knew what he had been doing behind closed doors for the last three years. Meanwhile, his family called the police control room and teams were rushed to quell the mob.
The police assured the mob that all necessary means would be taken and then set about investigating whether there was any credence to the claims. It was then that Patwa’s daughter revealed that she was being victimised by her father.
“Patwa had been trying to force himself on his daughter repeatedly for the last three years, but she managed to fight him off somehow. The last time this happened, his son learned about it and became furious. He assaulted Patwa and made him give a written promise that he would never repeat his actions,” said Jaywant Hargude, assistant commissioner of police, Malwani division.
The police believes that some of the Patwas’ neighbours overheard the violent altercation between Patwa and his son, which set tongues wagging, leading to Sunday’s incident. Following the revelation, Patwa’s daughter went to the police station and recorded a formal statement against him.
“Patwa was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with molestation,” Mr Hargude added.
Meanwhile, police personnel were posted all over the area to ensure that law and order was maintained, and no untoward incidents were reported throughout the day.