Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 14: A dispute over a Chinese food bill at an eatery in Chembur escalated into violent clashes between two rival groups in Govandi on November 12. Police have registered two cases involving assault, robbery, vandalism and attempt to murder, and arrested seven of the nine accused.
The dispute reportedly began between two groups of youths from Ashok Nagar and Anand Nagar at Star Chinese Hotel in Chembur between 1 pm and 2 pm on November 11. An argument broke out over payment for the food they had ordered.
In the first incident, members of one group allegedly went on a rampage in the Ashok Nagar area, vandalising several vehicles. They also assaulted a local youth and allegedly robbed him. Four persons from Chembur — Prathamesh Chabuksvar, Suraj Veer, Kunal Walunj and Avinash Maske — have been booked in connection with the incident.
In retaliation, members of the rival group allegedly abducted a youth and took him to an isolated location. They reportedly tied him to a wooden log and assaulted him with long wooden rods, targeting his back, legs, knees, feet and stomach. The attackers were heard warning one another not to hit him on the head.
Five persons — Ritikesh Patil, Vinayak Bharat Jadhav, Raj Ramesh Dongre, Harish Mangesh Gosavi and Rishikesh Patil — have been booked in the second case, which includes an attempt-to-murder charge.
A video of the assault, reportedly recorded on a mobile phone, went viral on social media. It shows the attackers smoking while assaulting the victim. Police suspect the attack was carried out as an act of revenge for the earlier incident.
A police officer told the media that the attackers did not intend to kill the victim but wanted to retaliate for the earlier assault. The officer said they allegedly avoided hitting him on the head.
Govandi police have booked nine persons in the two cases and arrested seven so far. A local court on Friday remanded all the arrested accused in police custody.
Further investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events and determine the role of each accused.