Jun4, (Mid-day): Caught on camera manhandling women and men at an ashram, a Maharashtra corporator is on the run.

While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a probe in the case, the Nationalist Congress Party - to which corporator Ashish Damle belongs - has expelled him.

The incident took place at the ashram of local spiritual leader Ratnakar Maharaj on Wednesday.

CCTV footage from the ashram shows Mr Damle forcefully entering with around 25 of his men and assaulting the residents. He is even seen dragging a woman out of the building. People in the ashram management said Mr Damle and his men even looted Rs. 1 lakh in cash.

The CCTV footage also shows some security personnel, leading to suspicion of involvement of policemen.

The police say a complaint has been lodged and a hunt is on for Mr Damle.

"The complainant, Naresh Vitthal Ratnakar, said Ashish Damle and his people arrived at his place and threatened him and beat him up," said police inspector Pankaj Giri. "They broke everything and even stole money. Ratnakar had a rifle for self-defense, which they took away."

The ruling BJP and NCP have strongly condemned the incident.
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said no one "has right to take law into their hands". Senior party leader and lawmaker from Baramati, Supriya Sule, also condemned the act.

"A corporator is supposed to be a people's representative and here he's seen looting. It is appalling," said BJP spokesperson Shaina NC. "Sacking him from the party is not a solution. We need to introspect."