On Thursday, July 4th, Hindus living in the Hazuri region of Thane staged a protest in a local Shiv temple by organizing Maha-aarti after a woman was molested by one accused identified as Shehzad Sheikh. The video of the Maha-aarti was shared by the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) which alleged that local corporator Vikas R faked his close ties with CM Eknath Shinde to pressure Thane Police to ‘protect’ the accused. “This resulted in just judicial custody instead of police custody,” LRO tweeted.
#Thane Maharashtra, Hindus organized massive Mahaarati at #Hazuri in Thane where #Jihadi mob attempted mob lynching of Hindu woman n desecrated temple when rape attempt survivor Hindu woman took shelter at local Shiv Mandir!
— Legal Rights Observatory- LRO (@LegalLro) July 5, 2024
Local corporator Vikas R faked CM @mieknathshinde close… pic.twitter.com/BQGdE97ivF
The incident is said to have happened on June 23rd in the Hajuri Dargah region of Thane which is Muslim dominated area however, the FIR in the case was filed on the 27th u/s 354, 354D, and 452 of the IPC. As reported earlier, the complaint was registered by Thane Police against one Shehzad Sheikh after he molested a Hindu woman and forced her to keep her mouth shut.
The Hindu woman had gone to the vegetable shop of the accused where the duo had a minor exchange of words over monetary change. The woman said that she did not have change but the accused insisted she get the change if she wanted to buy the vegetables. The woman then went to her home where the accused followed her. He then barged into her house and molested her. However, he managed to flee from the spot as the woman yelled for help.
As informed by the Sakal Hindu Samaj, the woman was being forced not to file a complaint by the other Muslims residing in the locality. Scared, she later went to seek shelter in a nearby temple where around 100-150 Muslims entered the temple wearing shoes and threatened the woman not to file a police complaint.
The accused was caught by the police after the intervention of the Hindu community. Earlier, the Hindu community claimed that the police resisted filing an FIR in the case but later the accused was arrested. However, it is alleged that the accused was being protected by an individual identified as Vikas R who faked his contacts with CM Eknath Shinde. He is said to have pressured the police to take minimal action against the accused. The accused as per the LRO was just put in judicial custody instead of police custody.
Sakal Hindu Samaj, Thane on June 30th organized a massive protest and demanded strict punishment against the accused. The Hindus also stated that their religious feelings had been hurt after Muslims entered the temple wearing shoes. The FIR copy of the said incident has been obtained by OpIndia. The Hindu locals demand the strictest punishment against the accused and safety for the Hindu community residing in the area.
