A Navratri garba gathering in Varap village near Kalyan was disrupted after a group of youths allegedly carrying sharp-edged weapons entered the venue, threatened devotees, injured a man and damaged parked vehicles early on October 19. Titwala police have arrested two people and detained a 17-year-old in connection with the incident, while efforts are under way to trace the other accused.
The gathering was being held at a garba ground opposite a Zilla Parishad school, where the local Sarvajanik Mahila Mandal had organised a religious ceremony. According to the complaint filed by Rahul Gondhale, eight youths allegedly arrived from neighbouring Maharal village on three motorcycles at about 12.30am.
The youths allegedly abused people at the venue, created a disturbance and struck plastic chairs with their weapons, causing panic among women, families and other attendees. When local residents intervened, the situation escalated, the complaint stated.
One of the youths allegedly struck Chetan Pal on the head with a koyta, injuring him. The group also allegedly attempted to assault Gondhale and another resident, Nitin Choudhary, before fleeing towards Maharal. Parked cars and auto-rickshaws were allegedly vandalised, with their windowpanes smashed.
Titwala police registered a case against eight people. The named accused include Pratyush Jadhav, Vinayak Madhne, Roshan Choudhary, Dipesh Lokhande, Mahesh Jaiswar and Ayush Pandey. Police arrested Jaiswar, 21, and Pandey, 19, while the 17-year-old was sent to a juvenile home.
Senior police inspector Mukesh Dhage confirmed the arrests and the detention of the minor. “In this connection, we have arrested two accused and one minor who has been sent to a juvenile home,” Dhage said.
A video circulating on social media purportedly shows youths arriving on motorcycles during the garba event, brandishing weapons and threatening people gathered at the venue. The footage also appears to show attendees running away as the gathering breaks up. The police investigation is continuing, with officers seeking to identify and locate the remaining accused.
The case places renewed attention on security arrangements at late-night community gatherings, where crowded venues, public access and nearby residential areas can complicate emergency response. Police are continuing the investigation into the alleged assault, vandalism and involvement of the remaining accused.
