Shiv Sena leader arrested for assault

A local Shiv Sena leader was arrested today in an assault case, police said today.

Santosh Dhawale, Shiv Sena district contact chief, was arrested on a complaint lodged by a government official, they said.

Dhawale's party has dismissed the charge against him and claimed he has been falsely implicated.

The complaint was filed by Jagdish Gajanan Kadu (52), an inspector in the weight and measurement department. Kadu alleged that Dhawale, along with his associates, barged into his office and assaulted him without any provocation.

The Sena leader snatched his mobile phone and broke his spectacles yesterday, Kadu said in the complaint.

According to City Police Station Officer Inspector Vijay Rathod, they received the complaint on Monday afternoon and registered a criminal offence against the accused this morning.

"Santosh Dhawale came to the police station and after preliminary interrogation, we arrested him," he said.

Meanwhile, Sena district chief Rajendra Gaikwad said Dhawale has been falsely implicated and the party will take out a rally tomorrow to protest his arrest.

Gaikwad said Dhawale has been implicated at the behest of District Guardian Minister Madan Yerawar, who denied the charge and termed it as baseless.