A Thane court has recently convicted 3 men for assaulting a police constable during his duty in December 2020, sentencing each to four days of simple imprisonment.
One additional accused was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
The court’s order, issued on October 16 and made public on Saturday, detailed the events of December 16, 2020, when Constable Mitesh Katkar was attacked at a traffic signal in the Anandnagar area.
The incident occurred after he instructed the driver of a car to move it, as it was obstructing traffic flow.
“The fact that the informant was discharging his official duty is not disputed by the defence, which underscores the gravity of the assault on a public servant,” stated Additional Sessions Court Judge G.T. Pawar. This acknowledgment of the constable’s official role highlights the seriousness of the attack.
The convicted individuals—Aditya Lakshman Murudkar, Nilesh Rupesh Samant, and Guruprit Deepakram—received a sentence of 4 days of imprisonment and were each fined ₹5,000. If they fail to pay the fine, they will face an additional 15 days of imprisonment.
In contrast, the fourth accused, Sushant Sharad Matvankar, was acquitted as the prosecution could not establish a sufficient link between him and the crime.
Judge Pawar emphasized the importance of stringent laws protecting public servants, noting, “This case highlights the need for rigorous enforcement of laws protecting public servants, ensuring they can perform their duties without fear of retribution.”
This conviction serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement officers while carrying out their responsibilities and the legal system’s role in addressing violence against them.
The case underscores the necessity for both legal protections and societal respect for those who serve in public safety roles, allowing them to perform their duties effectively and safely.
