The Pune Police on Monday arrested notorious gangster Gajanan Marne in connection with the assault of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker, Sambhaji Kadam, DCP Zone 3 told The Free Press Journal.

Earlier in the day, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) would be invoked against Marne and his gang members. The CP added that the police would seize their properties and also impound their vehicles after obtaining information from the RTO.

What is the case?

According to the police, at around 4:30pm on Wednesday, BJP worker Devendra Jog passed through Bhelkenagar Chowk in Kothrud. He was heading towards Gujarat Colony. Due to a Shiv Jayanti procession, there was a crowd on the road so he momentarily stopped his vehicle. At this point, a man confronted him, saying, "Can't you ride your bike properly?

Jog replied that he had not hit anyone. However, before he could finish his sentence, another man slapped him hard across the face, causing his nose to bleed. Jog then fell off his bike due to the impact. Soon, three to four individuals began kicking and punching him. One of them removed his belt and struck him. After the assault, the attackers fled towards Gujarat Colony on their two-wheelers.

Later, a case was registered at Kothrud Police Station under sections 109 and 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Meanwhile, all the four accused have been arrested, Kadam confirmed.

Initially, it was reported that the victim was working as a part of the social media team of Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol. However, Mohol clarified that the victim was not working in his office. "The victim is not working in my office, but he is a BJP worker," he said. Mohol on Saturday morning also visited Jog's home and inquired about his health.