Pune: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Leader and former Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Standing Committee Chairman Baburao Chandere, known for his close ties with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has been booked for assault following an incident in the Susgaon area. A video of Chandere allegedly slapping and assaulting a citizen has gone viral, drawing public attention to the case.
The altercation occurred on Saturday (January 25) afternoon at around 12 PM near Susgaon, where Chandere was overseeing excavation work using a Poklen machine.
Prashant Jadhav, the complainant, approached Chandere to inquire about the activity. The confrontation escalated when Chandere allegedly slapped Jadhav, stating, "Who are you to question me?" According to the complaint filed at Bavdhan Police Station, Chandere and his associates also physically assaulted another individual present at the site.
The assault was captured on video, which has since been widely circulated on social media, sparking criticism and calls for action.
Past Allegations and New Developments
This is not the first time Chandere has been accused of assault. In a previous incident, a video surfaced showing him allegedly assaulting a rickshaw driver.
The latest incident involves Vijay Raundal, who was reportedly injured on his head and knee during the altercation. The video shows Chandere and his associates intimidating those recording the incident and attempting to confiscate their phones.
Preliminary reports suggest that the confrontation stemmed from a land-related dispute. The incident occurred in the presence of municipal staff, contractors, and workers, raising questions about the legality of the excavation work.
In light of the incident, there have been demands for a detailed inquiry into the actions of Chandere and his associates. Citizens have also called for an investigation into whether the excavation work at the site was carried out in accordance with legal procedures and the possible involvement of Pune Municipal Corporation officials.