A traffic police constable in Mumbai’s Nalasopara (East) suffered a lost tooth and other injuries after being allegedly slapped by a man inside the Tulinj police station. The incident occurred on Monday when the constable, Praveen Ranade, objected to the man, Shailesh Waghela, recording a video of him while on duty. Police have booked Waghela for assault and other charges. The motive behind his actions remains unclear.
Ranade, who is attached to the Vasai traffic branch, was assigned duty at the railway overbridge in Nalasopara (East). At around 1.30 pm, when Ranade was managing the traffic, the accused Shailesh Waghela (36), who was travelling in an auto rickshaw, started recording a video of Ranade. The constable objected to the video recording and questioned him. An argument erupted and Ranade decided to take Waghela to the Tulinj police station for further inquiry.
While Ranade was explaining the situation to the on-duty police officer, Waghela struck him on the right cheek with such force that Ranade lost a tooth. The incident caused a commotion within the police station, requiring other staffers to step in and control the situation.
The police have confiscated Waghela’s mobile phone and will also examine the closed-circuit television footage of the area to determine the events that transpired on the road.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by police officers in carrying out their duties. While it is important for citizens to be able to record police interactions, it is equally important to respect the authority of law enforcement officers and to refrain from engaging in violent or disruptive behavior. The police have a duty to protect and serve the public, and they should be able to do so without fear of assault or intimidation.
