Team Herald
PONDA: A high voltage drama was witnessed near the Banastarim Bridge on Wednesday, wherein a two-wheeler rider alleged that an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), attached to Ponda Traffic Cell, slapped him after taking the keys of his bike.
However, when they approached the police station, everyone was taken by surprise, as the rider turned out to be newly recruited constable Rajat Adpaikar, posted at the Mormugao Police Station.
Narrating the sequence of incidents, the rider said that the incident occurred near Banastarim Bridge when the ASI stopped him for riding a two-wheeler without a headgear. Rajat admitted that he was not wearing a helmet, but alleged that ASI Vivek Phadte came in the middle of the road, stopped him and snatched the keys of his two-wheeler.
Rajat claimed, “When I took back the keys to take my vehicle to the side of the road, Vivek in a fit of anger slapped me.
“How can a policeman take law into his hands?” a family member of the rider asked even as an altercation broke out between the two. Ironically, family members of the rider, who were also proceeding in a car, stopped and joined the arguments. A family member recorded the heated altercation on his cellphone camera, while the locals suggested that CCTVs be installed at crucial spots to detect crimes and accidents.
ASI Phadte denied slapping the rider.
He instead, accused Rajat and his family members of assaulting him, while he was discharging his duty.
However, with claims and counter claims from both the parties, the passersby too joined and raised several questions. If a traffic cop had slapped the rider, then why did the latter, also a constable, not file a complaint against the traffic official, and how he took support of his family to allegedly manhandle the ASI?
Meanwhile, the Mardol Police till late night registered an offence against Rajat and three others for assaulting ASI Vivek Phadte, while SP South placed Rajat under suspension.
Phadte in his complaint stated that Rajat, Sonhal, Rajnikant and his wife Shetal Adpaikar abused and assaulted him with fist blows and kicks, tore his uniform and damaged his name plate, while discharging his duties near the Banastarim Bridge. The Mardol police have booked the quartet under Sections 132, 352 and 324 (2) read with 3 (5) of BNS, Section 194 (D), 6 (4) 125 (2) and 51 read with 179 of Motor Vehicle Act.