Criminal assaults woman constable, wields broken bottle | Pune News - Times of India

Source: The Times of India

PUNE: The cantonment police are searching for a criminal on police records from Wanowrie for assaulting garbage contractor Rupeshkumar Sonkamble of Bibvewadi and his employee at Solapur Bazaar with a broken glass bottle around 2pm on Saturday.

Sonkamble, who sustained injuries to his hands, raised an alarm and called the police. However, the criminal also beat up a woman police constable, Vijaya Vedpathak of the Cantonment police, with a stick after she reached the spot around 2.15pm.

According to the police, after beating up the constable, the suspect ran away from the spot. "We have registered two separate cases against the criminal, who was previously arrested in a case under the Arms Act," said senior inspector Dashrath Patil of Cantonment police.

The police registered the first case for attempt to murder, causing hurt, and robbery. The second case was registered for causing hurt and assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty.

Explaining the series of events, Patil said the victim had taken up the contract of garbage collection of the Pune Cantonment Board. He had deployed his employees in different parts of the Cantonment to pick up garbage.

Patil said, "One of Sonkamble's employees was collecting garbage in the Solapur Bazaar area. At that moment, the suspect reached the spot and started issuing threats to the employee, demanding money. The suspect slapped and kicked the employee. The frightened employee called Sonkamble, who reached the spot immediately."

"After reaching the spot, Sonkamble questioned the suspect. However, the suspect picked up a glass bottle from the garbage and smashed it on the road surface, breaking it. He then threatened Sonkamble with dire consequences and demanded his gold ring," he said.

The victim resisted him and the suspect assaulted him with the broken bottle. Sonkamble sustained injuries to his hands and managed to save himself.

"Following this, Sonkamble called up the police control room and after receiving the message, Vedpathak reached the spot. She asked the suspect to visit the police station for further legal action and started recording a video using her mobile phone. However, the suspect picked up a stick and hit Vedpathak on her legs. He grabbed her cell phone and smashed it on the road before fleeing," Patil said.