MAPUSA
Colvale police have registered a case against Tivim panch and former sarpanch Arjun Aroskar on charges of abusing and threatening Sarpanch Venkatesh Shirodkar and Deputy Sarpanch Adv Harshta Kalangutkar.
Acting on a complaint filed by Adv Kalangutkar, Colvale police booked Aroskar under Sections 504, 506 and 509 of IPC. Police are conducting investigations under the guidance of Police Inspector Vijay Rane.
In her police complaint, Adv Kalangutkar stated that the incident had taken place during the monthly meeting of the panchayat at around 12.30 pm. Adv Kalangutkar stated that Aroskar had submitted some work files of his ward for approval in the meeting, but these files were rejected by the Sarpanch as they were allegedly illegal in nature.
During the meeting, Aroskar was accused of arguing with the Sarpanch for not approving his files. After the meeting was over, the panch member is alleged to have abused the sarpanch and deputy sarpanch, besides threatening them with dire consequences, if his files were not approved in the next panchayat meeting.
Meanwhile, Sarpanch Venkatesh Shirodkar and four other panchas issued a statement supporting the claims made by Adv Kalangutkar in her complaint to Colvale police.
“We are fully aware of the contents of the complaint... each and every content of the complaint is factually correct and true and we were present for the meeting and after the meeting when the untoward incident took place.”
“We are of the strong belief that strict and necessary action needs to be taken against the culprit,” the statement added.
