Pune: In a shocking incident on October 8 between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., the iron shutter lock of a warehouse located in Maharishinagar was forcibly broken, and the premises were occupied without permission. The complainant, Ronak Shah, a 37-year-old resident of Kalpataru Society on Shankarsheth Road in Gultekdi, lodged a formal complaint with the Swargate Police Station, leading to the registration of a case against Namdev Ghorpade, the founder president of the Multi-Purpose Workers’ Association, and several others.
The accused, including Triveni Ingole and five to six activists, face charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Maharashtra Police Act. The charges include IPC sections 143, 147, 384, 504, and 506(2), based on the complaint filed by Shah.
The complainant’s father, engaged in a printing business, stored essential goods in the warehouse for his business operations. A longstanding dispute over the property emerged between the plaintiff and the accused. On October 8, the accused forcefully broke the warehouse shutters and took unauthorised possession of the premises.
The motive behind the unlawful occupation was revealed when the accused demanded a staggering Rs. 17 lakh from the complainant for the release of the warehouse. Additionally, the accused adorned the property with flags bearing images of historical figures and warned against removing them, threatening to file defamation charges.
Assistant Police Inspector Umesh Karke is leading the ongoing investigation into the case.