Pune: A 19-year-old youth was allegedly attacked with a sickle in Baramati after he questioned another youth for sitting in a cafe with a female relative. The incident has raised concerns about law and order in the region.

According to the police, the victim, Siddharth Sunil Choudhar, filed a complaint against the accused, Nagesh Gnyandev Gophane, both residents of Vanjarwadi in Baramati. The altercation occurred on Friday (January 17) evening when Siddharth confronted Nagesh after spotting him at a café with a girl who was Siddharth’s relative.

In a fit of rage, Nagesh attacked Siddharth with a sickle, injuring him on his neck, back, and thigh. Siddharth also suffered a hand injury while trying to block a strike aimed at his head. The Baramati Taluka Police have registered a case against Nagesh, who is currently under investigation.

Concerns About Law and Order in Baramati

This incident marks the third case of a sickle attack in Baramati in recent days, raising alarms among residents about the deteriorating law and order situation. Many citizens are questioning the police’s efficiency and asking why local intelligence has failed to prevent such incidents. Discussions have also surfaced about whether authorities are waiting for more severe consequences before taking action.

Criticism of Police Conduct and Accountability

Reports indicate that senior police officers’ orders are frequently ignored by station in-charges in Baramati. Both the Baramati City and Taluka Police Stations have been accused of withholding information about crimes from the media. Despite repeated instructions from Additional Superintendent of Police Ganesh Biradar and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sudarshan Rathod, a lack of compliance has been observed.

Citizens allege that the police’s lack of enforcement and delayed investigations have allowed criminal activities to thrive in the region. There is now a growing demand for changes in the police administration to restore public trust and accountability.

Failure to Publish FIRs as Per Guidelines

Another significant issue highlighted by citizens is the irregular publication of FIRs. As per Supreme Court directives, FIRs must be uploaded to official websites within 24 hours, barring certain exceptions. However, this guideline is reportedly being ignored in Baramati, where FIRs are uploaded inconsistently. Allegations have also surfaced that some FIRs are never uploaded, raising doubts about transparency in the police department.