The Pune police on Thursday lodged a case under the Atrocities Act against Trupti Desai, Bhumata Brigade leader and gender activist.
The complainant, Vijay Makasare (33) from Ahmednagar, who describes himself as an activist from the backward community, filed a case against Ms. Desai and her husband, Prashant, at the Chaturshrungi police station, alleging that he was beaten, robbed and threatened by the couple and four others near Balewadi on June 27.
Mr. Makasare says that Ms. Desai and the others, who were in a car, intercepted his car and snatched his phone, which he alleges that Ms. Desai told her husband contained important evidence against them. He says that two of Ms. Desai’s companions then took control of his car and both vehicles drove along the highway towards the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi. The complaint says, Ms. Desai and her husband entered the vehicle and hit Mr. Makasare with sticks and rods. Mr. Makasare said that Ms. Desai then warned him not to lodge a case against them and to stop teaching her how to run her outfit.
The complainant has also accused Ms. Desai and her group of robbing him of valuables, including a gold chain and ₹42,000 in cash.
Besides the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the police have lodged a case under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), 394 (voluntarily causing hurt in robbery) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Ms. Desai has categorically refuted the charges, stating that neither she nor her husband have beaten up or robbed anyone. “This is a clear case of misuse of the Atrocities Act against us,” she told The Hindu . “I’m an activist who fights for progressive ideals; we would never dream of stooping to this level. The charges are clearly fabricated, and this complaint reeks of a conspiracy against me.”
She said she only knew about the case because of media reports, and had yet to hear from the police. “I have been trying to reach police authorities to get more information, but without success,” she said.
Ms. Desai made headlines last year with her campaign seeking entry for women into the inner sanctum of the Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar district, and oterh shrines in the State.
Last year, Ms. Desai and her group of activists assaulted a youth for allegedly making false promises of marriage to a girl. Her outfit later lodged a police case against the youth.
