Last Updated: December 16, 2023, 09:22 IST
Instagram influencer Priya Singh with her purported boyfriend Ashwajit Gaikwad, who is accused of assaulting her. (Instagram)
The victim 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
A 26-year-old social media influencer was allegedly assaulted, bitten and then run over by a car by her boyfriend, who is a senior bureaucrat’s son, near a hotel in Maharashtra’s Thane over a fight. The incident left the victim previously injured.
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.
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.
Police Inaction, Heavy Influence: Victim’s Grave Allegations
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.
The victim also claimed that the Kasarvadavali police were ‘careless in the investigation’ as stringent sections including attempt to murder have not been invoked against the accused and no arrests have been made even four days after the incident, PTI reported.
Police Refute Claims
A senior police official denied the allegations levelled by the victim in her social media post that the police did not register the case as per her statement adding that the probe into the incident was underway.
A case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 279 (rash driving), and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) has been registered against the accused and his two accomplices at the Kasarvadavali police station.
What Exactly Happened?
As per the woman’s statement, the fateful incident took place around 4.30 am when the woman reached the Courtyard Hotel to meet Gaikwad, who she claimed to be her boyfriend. The victim then accused that he avoided her.
As soon as Gaikwad came out of the hotel, an argument broke out between the two on the service road. In a fit of rage, Gaikwad assaulted her and bit her on her hand, the TOI reported quoting the victim.
Later, when Priya went to get her bag and mobile from the accused’s SUV, one of his friends started the ignition and she fell on the road and he drove over her right leg before speeding away.
The victim later put out several social media posts to give information about the incident, the police said.
‘Not My Girlfriend…’: Accused Gaikwad’s Stance
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,” the publication quoted.
(With inputs from Yesha Kotak in Mumbai)
