Youth Brutally Beaten After Confronting Obscene Gestures During Procession

Pune: A young man was brutally assaulted for confronting a person making obscene gestures.

The altercation took place on September 18, at Kajree Chowk, Laxmi Road, around 11 a.m., during the immersion procession organized by the Akhil Ganesh Mandal of Erandwane.

Shivam Prasad Marne, a 24-year-old resident of Ganeshnagar, Erandwane, was part of the Ganesh Visarjan procession when he noticed a man, identified as Omkar Vede, standing on a tractor and making inappropriate gestures toward him.

Offended by this behavior, Marne questioned Vede’s actions. Instead of resolving the matter peacefully, the confrontation escalated quickly.

Omkar’s friends, identified as Akash Mapari, Shrikant Kadam, and Shubham Chorge, joined the fray and began to assault Marne and his cousin, Tanmay.

According to the police report, Akash Mapari dragged Marne aside and attacked him with an iron object, hitting him on the head and causing serious injuries. Omkar Vede then descended from the tractor and further assaulted Marne by kicking and punching him.

The incident highlights the growing concern over public safety during large-scale processions in the city. Ganesh Visarjan, a major annual event, often sees large crowds and processions, which sometimes lead to altercations.

Despite police presence and precautionary measures, this incident has raised questions about the adequacy of security during such processions.

Shivam Marne filed a formal complaint at Vishrambaug Police Station, leading to the registration of a case against Omkar Vede, Akash Mapari, Shrikant Kadam, and Shubham Chorge under charges of assault and causing grievous harm.

Police constable Mane has taken over the investigation and is gathering further evidence.