Non-cognisable case registered against Sena MLA Gaikwad for assaulting canteen worker

A non-cognisable case was registered on Friday against Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad and his supporter for assaulting a worker at the MLA hostel canteen in south Mumbai, police officials said.

A non-cognisable case is registered in minor offences. Police cannot make arrest without a court warrant in such cases.

Gaikwad and one of his supporters assaulted the worker at the Akashwani MLA hostel canteen for ‘serving stale food’ on Tuesday night.

A viral video showing the two-time MLA from Buldhana punching and slapping the canteen worker created outrage across the state.

Gaikwad, who belongs to the party headed by Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, refused to express regret, though, and said he would repeat his action if needed.

Police had asked the victim if he wanted to lodge a complaint against the MLA, but he did not turn up, an official said.

A police official then lodged a complaint on behalf of the state at the Marine Drive police station against the MLA and his supporter after examining the video footage, he said.

A non-cognisable case was registered against the lawmaker and his supporter under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita including 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and 3 (5) (common intention), the official said.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also handles the home portfolio, said there was no need for the police to wait for a formal complaint to initiate a probe into the incident.

The police should probe the case and if it is a cognisable offence, they will take appropriate action, he told reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan, the state legislature complex, amid the monsoon session.

Before that, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam, who belongs to the Shiv Sena, had said police could not take action against Gaikwad as there was no complaint.

Gaikwad had ordered dinner from the hostel canteen and found the dal and rice delivered to his room “stale and foul-smelling.” He then stormed into the canteen to confront the manager.

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday suspended the license of the caterer who operates the canteen, citing violations of food safety norms.