Pune Police File FIR Against Right-Wing Group Members for Assaulting Tourists at Sinhagad Fort Over Clothing

Pune Rural Police have registered a first information report against eight members of a right-wing outfit following an assault on four tourists, including an eight-year-old girl, at Sinhagad Fort over clothing choices.

Dispute Over Bermuda Shorts and Cultural Objections at Sinhagad Fort

The incident unfolded around 2:00 pm as a large crowd visited the popular tourist destination during the monsoon holiday season, according to the Free Press Journal. Avadhut Pandurang Patil, a 39-year-old resident of Dhayari, visited the fort with his wife, son, a friend, and the friend’s wife and daughter.

A group of seven to eight young men and women associated with the Samast Hindu Bandhav Army approached the tourists and objected to the clothing worn by members of the party, specifically targeting the eight-year-old girl for wearing Bermuda shorts. According to the police complaint filed by Patil and reported by the Free Press Journal, the group questioned whether the visitors had any understanding of Hindu culture.

They asked, ‘Why are you wearing shorts?’

the complaint stated, as detailed by The Indian Express and Hindustan Times. The confrontation escalated rapidly as members of the right-wing outfit also questioned other visitors regarding shorts and sleeveless attire.

Physical Altercation and Police Response at the Pune Monument

The verbal argument turned physical when members of the outfit began assaulting the tourists. According to the Free Press Journal, three men from the group allegedly slapped Patil, while a female member dragged his wife. The attackers used their hands and a plastic stick to strike members of the tourist group while shouting demands about cultural adherence, as noted in police summaries.

Patil initially reported the assault to Assistant Police Inspector Sunita Chavare and officers stationed at the parking area security detachment, who were deployed for monsoon bandobast duties due to high footfall. Officers instructed the individuals involved to report to the Haveli Police Station.

Inspector Rajesh Ramaghare of the Haveli police station confirmed that a formal FIR was subsequently registered against eight individuals, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Identified Suspects and Legal Charges Filed by Maharashtra Police

As per reports from Hindustan Times and the Free Press Journal, the Maharashtra Police listed the eight individuals implicated in the matter as Sanket Sanjay Patil, Ashish Dilip Apar, Revan Narayan Kokte, Sayali Sujit Chavan, Ketaki Suraj Jadhav, Amar Ramchandra Shirke, Kunal Kisan Nalawade, and Arya Praveen Kawade.

The suspects faced charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, encompassing offenses of criminal intimidation, rioting, unlawful assembly, and inflicting physical harm through both general means and dangerous weapons. Police also issued notices under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to the accused, according to the Free Press Journal.

The investigation is led by Head Constable Ajit Bhujbal of the Haveli Police Station under the guidance of Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, Additional Superintendent of Police Dr. Shubhamkumar, and Haveli Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sunilkumar Pujari. Law enforcement officials stated that further inquiries remain underway regarding the moral policing incident at the historical site.