Pune Rural police have taken Hindu Rashtra Sena chief, Dhananjay Desai, into custody following an alleged attack on a farmer in Mulshi taluka. The incident involved over 15 individuals who threatened to harm the farmer’s family unless he transferred his land to Desai.
This arrest comes several months after Desai, along with 19 others from his fringe outfit, were acquitted of the murder of software professional Mohsin Shaikh. The tragic incident occurred during communal clashes in Pune in June 2014.
According to the FIR, on Tuesday around 11.15 am, the 35-year-old farmer was at another farmer’s house in Darawali village when the group forcibly entered and dragged him out. The assailants warned him to transfer his land to Desai, threatening harm to his entire family otherwise. They proceeded to attack the farmer, causing head injuries with a sharp weapon and a metal rod. Later, they instilled fear in the area by brandishing machetes and swords.
The police have charged Desai and approximately 15-20 others with offenses including attempt to murder, house trespass, rioting, and criminal intimidation, along with charges of criminal conspiracy. Inspector Manoj Yadav, in charge of the police station, stated that six individuals, including Desai, have been arrested, and further investigations are underway.
In January, a sessions court acquitted all 20 Hindu Rashtra Sena members, including Desai, in the Mohsin Shaikh murder case, citing insufficient evidence. The incident occurred during communal clashes triggered by the circulation of morphed images of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray on social media.
The recent arrest of Dhananjay Desai in connection with the farmer attack case has raised public interest, given his prior involvement in the Mohsin Shaikh murder case. The police are diligently investigating the matter to ensure justice is served, and the legal proceedings will determine the outcome of the case.
