FIR against constable, others for 'custodial assault'

The Goa police have registered a case against a constable and three others for allegedly assaulting the husband of Shiv Sena leader Rakhi Prabhudesai- Naik in police custody.

While the alleged incident had taken place in March last year, an inqiury report was submitted recently, a police officer said Friday.

Amit Naik, husband of Sena's Goa spokesperson Rakhi Prabhudesai-Naik, had been arrested by police at Sanguem village, 80 km from here, after a Pune court issued a non-bailable summons against him in a financial matter.

His wife alleged that while in custody, he was beaten up by constable Somesh Phaldesai, deputy sarpanch of the village Abhijit Desai, panchayat member Prakash Bhagat and one Ulhas Gawas, leaving him badly injured.

Shiv Sena's Goa unit chief Jitesh Kamat had submitted a memorandum to state Director General of Police Muktesh Chandar seeking investigation into the alleged assault.

A preliminary inquiry by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunita Sawant said there was a "conspiracy to physically and socially harm Amit Naik by the accused since they were exposed by Rakhi Naik about their involvement in illegal activities".

While a first information report (FIR) has been registered against constable Phaldesai and three others, nobody has been arrested yet as further probe is underway, a senior police official said.