Ex-mayor held for poll code violation

Former mayor, Bharat Sawant and 15 others were arrested by the Yerawada police for allegedly violating the model code of conduct at Vishrantwadi police lines ground at 9 pm on Monday. The police have seized the gift articles they planned to distribute to citizens, which were totally worth Rs60,600.

Sub-inspector, VT Pawar lodged a complaint against Sawant (62), his sons Ajay, Mahendra, daughter-in-law Sheetal, Mahesh Pardeshi, Vikram Bansode, Yunus Bheg, Vishal Mande, Marjeet Shaikh, Bhima Jamkade, Pravin Pandit, Yusuf Sayyed and four unidentified suspects. They were charged with rioting under the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and also under the Bombay Police Act, 1951 for not taking permission of the event.

Pawar, who is investigating the case, told DNA, “Our beat marshals were patrolling the area and noticed former mayor, Bharat Sawant and his daughter-in-law, Sheetal who is a candidate in this area giving speeches. They had organised a haldi-kumkum programme.

“They had also organised dinner and were distributing lamps, chair and tables, steel utensils like jugs and plates totally worth Rs60,600. The Sawants had violated the norms and failed to seek our permission for the event.”

On Tuesday, the suspects were produced before the court of judicial magistrate (first class) and were granted bail while Sheetal and four others are yet to be arrested.