Mid-Day
Mumbai, May 10: A Congress councillor has accused an ex-Congress councillor of outraging her modesty. Geeta Kanojia, councillor from Colaba (ward 1) alleged that Ward 2 Councillor, Puran Doshi, provoked five women into assaulting her in public and outraging her modesty on Tuesday.
In her complaint to the Cuffe Parade police, Kanojia stated the five women from the Sonia Mahila Vikas Manch — an outfit Doshi floated after he was expelled from Congress in 2003 — tore her sari and pulled it off.
Incident
The incident occurred at 10.30 am yesterday, when Kanojia visited Ambedkar Nagar slums with BMC officials to supervise drainage work. Kanojia alleged Doshi and his 500-odd supporters tried to disrupt work by shouting slogans. “The mob started abusing us,” said Kanojia.
“As I tried to pacify them, five of Doshi’s female associates grabbed my hair, pushed me and tore my sari,” recalled an agitated Kanojia. She complained the policemen did little to control the situation. Later, Kanojia was admitted to GT Hospital for treatment for back and shoulder injuries.
Liar, liar
Doshi, however, refuted Kanojia’s allegations. “There were more than 1,000 people, including policemen, at the spot. No one noticed such an incident. I was protesting the BMC work, as it would lead to health hazards in the area,” he explained.
It’s true
However, BMC Assistant Engineer (environment) DJ Phalari, who was present at the spot, admitted that Kanojia was assaulted. Phalari also filed a police complaint against the five women for obstructing public work.
Kanojia also requested MP Milind Deora, Police Commissioner AN Roy and CM Vilasrao Deshmukh to probe the matter.
Doshi said he feels Vinod Shekhar, Congress councillor (ward 3), Colaba, is the brain behind Kanojia’s charges. “Vinod does not want me return to the party,” he alleged.
Incidentally, Doshi was expelled from the party in 2003 because he said wanted to contest the assembly elections. He eventually contested as an independent candidate against Annie Shekhar, Vinod’s mother.