Two corporators from the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party faction and 10 to 11 others have been booked after a complaint alleged trespass, vandalism, property damage and theft at a Pune Municipal Corporation-run study centre and library in the Parvati area. The complaint also alleges that the complainant was abused with casteist slurs and publicly humiliated when he questioned the group about the incident.
The case was registered by Parvati police against NCP corporators Suraj Lokhande and Priya Gadade-Patil, along with their supporters. The alleged incident took place at a public-use site near the Parvati foothills, behind the Vitthalwadi building and close to a canteen. The facility houses a study centre and library operated by the PMC.
According to the complaint, the accused entered the premises without the complainant’s consent or the necessary legal authorisation and allegedly damaged library and study-centre materials. Theft has also been alleged. The complaint does not establish that the allegations have been proven, and the police investigation is continuing.
The complainant further alleged that Shivaji Gadade-Patil used casteist slurs against him and humiliated him in front of several people at a public site near the Parvati foothills canal. The alleged abuse reportedly occurred after the complainant questioned the group about the damage to the civic facility.
Parvati police have registered the case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including Sections 303(2), 359(2), 324(2) and 3(5). The FIR also invokes Sections 3(1)(s) and 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Gajanan Pawar, attached to the Swargate division, is conducting the further investigation. The case places a civic study facility at the centre of a police inquiry involving elected representatives, alleged damage to public property and allegations under legislation designed to address caste-based offences.
The police investigation will determine the circumstances of entry into the premises, the extent of any damage or missing property, the identities and roles of those involved, and whether the allegations under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act are supported by the evidence. No conclusion on the culpability of the accused has been reported at this stage.
