Man assaults Thane hospital receptionist after being stopped from jumping queue; arrested
Thane (PTI): Police have arrested a man who allegedly assaulted a woman receptionist at a private paediatrics hospital here after she refused to allow him to walk into the doctor's chamber without an appointment, officials said on Wednesday.
A viral video shows the accused, a migrant from Bihar, kicking the receptionist, who hails from Maharashtra, and dragging her by her hair across the reception floor of the hospital at Kalyan in Thane district on Monday evening. She was rescued by relatives of other patients.
The accused, identified as Gokul Jha, was angry as the 25-year-old receptionist didn't allow him and a woman accompanying him with a baby to jump the queue and meet the doctor who was busy with other patients, as per the First Information Report (FIR).
The receptionist suffered critical injuries and was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dombivli, according to police.
Based on the victim's complaint, the police registered the FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for assault, using obscene language, and outraging the modesty of a woman, an official earlier said.
The accused was arrested late Tuesday evening, a police official said.
"This kind of violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Our team worked tirelessly to track and arrest the accused, Gokul Jha, in Kalyan. He will be produced before the court on Wednesday," Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zende told reporters.
Leaders across party lines condemned the attack.
BJP state president Ravindra Chavan met with DCP Zende late Tuesday night and insisted on swift action.
Shiv Sena's district president Dipesh Mhatre and local Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raju Patil also sought strict action by police in the matter.
"The main accused, Gokul Jha, was arrested due to the alertness of citizens and diligence of the police force. He has a criminal history, including previous cases registered at Vitthalwadi and Kolsewadi police stations. He recently came out on bail in a serious criminal case," Zende said.
Three other persons -- Jha's brother and two women who were present at the scene -- have also been detained, according to the police.
Their involvement was being investigated. CCTV footage from the hospital and nearby areas was being scrutinised to identify all those involved in the attack, they said.
The investigation is underway, Zende said and assured every aspect of the case will be thoroughly examined.
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Bengal elections: Bhangar tense during polling, ISF claims voters, agents threatened
Kolkata (PTI): Tension gripped South 24 Parganas' Bhangar and its adjoining areas during the second phase of polling in West Bengal on Wednesday, with the Indian Secular Front (ISF) accusing TMC of trying to intimidate polling agents and influence voters.
NIA officials have been deployed in at least seven Assembly seats of West Bengal, where the second phase of polling is underway on Wednesday, after the Election Commission asked the federal probe agency to ensure bombs are not used to disrupt polling.
On April 26, police recovered crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, in Bhangar. Later, on a directive by the Union Home Ministry, the NIA registered a case to probe the recovery of 79 crude bombs in the state.
Trouble was reported from several pockets of Bhangar and Canning Purba constituency since morning, prompting heavy deployment of central forces, state police and NIA teams in sensitive areas.
At Hedia in Canning Purba constituency, the ISF alleged that one of its polling agents received death threats from TMC supporters.
ISF candidate Arabul Islam rushed to the spot after receiving the complaint and accused the administration of failing to ensure a fair election.
"Votes are being looted in Canning Purba. Our agents in booths are being driven out of several booths after snatching their cards and documents," he alleged.
Since morning, Islam was seen visiting booths and asking security personnel to clear gatherings within 100 metres of polling stations, while also assisting ISF polling agents in entering booths.
ISF chairman and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddiqui also alleged that party workers and agents were being intimidated by ruling party supporters, but claimed that the overall atmosphere in Bhangar was comparatively peaceful compared to previous elections.
The fresh allegations and tension came a day after several areas of Bhangar, including Kochpukur and Joypur under Bhangar-II block, witnessed clashes between TMC and ISF supporters.
ISF supporters alleged that workers of the ruling party roamed through neighbourhoods on Tuesday night and threatened locals. When ISF workers protested, clashes broke out, leaving at least four of their compatriots, including a woman, injured.
Later, Siddiqui said, "The people of Bhangar are finally exercising their democratic rights. Earlier, bombs, bullets and pistols decided elections here. This time, people are choosing ballots and voting with a smile."
He alleged that "political dealers" and local goons loyal to TMC leader and Bhangar candidate Saukat Molla were trying to provoke ISF workers and create tension in certain areas.
"Agents are being threatened and prevented from functioning freely. We repeatedly informed the administration, but police are acting in favour of the ruling party and not cooperating," Siddiqui alleged.
Later in the day, the ISF leader also claimed that voters were prevented from exercising their franchise freely during the 2023 panchayat polls and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the situation has improved this time, he said.
The TMC denied the allegations and accused the ISF of trying to create unrest in the constituency to influence polling.
Security was significantly tightened in Bhangar, where, apart from state police and central forces, a special team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was also deployed to monitor sensitive pockets.
