All three accused in the Thane influencer case were arrested on Sunday, six days after the incident where the victim, Priya Singh, was allegedly assaulted.
Singh’s boyfriend Ashwajit Gaikwad, his friend Romil Patil who was in the car when the incident took place and driver Sagar Shelke were booked under 323, 279, 338, 504 and 34 sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Thane Police said.
The car used in the incident has also been seized.
“The three were held at 8:50 pm. A Mahindra Scorpio and a Landrover that were allegedly used in the incident have been seized. Kasarwadavali police is probing further,” Additional Commissioner of Police (West) Mahesh Patil said.
Gaikwad is the son of Anil Gaikwad the joint managing director of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).
The victim was allegedly assaulted, bitten and then run over by a car near a hotel in Thane by her boyfriend on December 11.
The incident sent shockwaves across Maharashtra, prompting police to form a SIT for a thorough investigation.
The influencer has demanded that the accused, Ashwajit Gaikwad, should be booked under the attempt to murder charge (section 307 of the Indian Penal Code).
“They (police) were trying to force me to sign something. I refused. Because I did not have a lawyer. Neither did anyone from my family. They were forcing me, saying that whatever will happen tomorrow, sign now,” she said.
Social media influencer Priya Singh, who was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend in Thane, has alleged that she was being pressured to sign on something by police. However, the 26-year-old refused to sign anything as her lawyer was not present there.
Not Satisfied With Police: Priya Singh
The model alleged that the police officials were trying to make it an accident case. She said she was not happy with the police.
“They were proving it (incident) an accident. I had an argument with a lady constable as she was saying it was an accident. I am not happy with the police. I am not satisfied. I have great faith in the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister. I just want justice. Please don’t make any false allegations against me as it has started to affect me mentally,” she said.
The incident occurred on December 11 and victim Priya is undergoing treatment in a private hospital for injuries on the stomach, back and arms and “broken” right leg.
What Happened On December 11?
According to the woman’s social media posts, her lover, who is the son of Anil Gaikwad the joint MD of MSRDC, allegedly tried to mow her down with his car after a fight in Thane city. Two of his friends were also involved in the crime, she alleged.
In her Instagram post, Priya, who is also a model, alleged that her boyfriend Ashwajit Gaikwad used his contacts to try to hush up the matter, so she had to narrate her ordeal on social media. The victim also posted pictures of her injuries.
Accused Denies Allegations
Dismissing Priya’s allegations, the accused, Gaikwad, said that she was just his friend and was drunk at the time of the incident.
“Whatever has been portrayed is untrue. She is just a friend. She came drunk to the hotel where we were having a family function and tried to force me to talk to her. When I refused, she started abusing me. She assaulted my friends when they tried to intervene. Shelke started the SUV so that she steps away, but unfortunately, she fell on the road. The accident was not intentional,” Gaikwad was quoted by Times of India as saying.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
Source: News18