A Nationalist Congress Party corporator Ashish Damle was caught on camera barging into an ashram of Ratnakar Maharaj in Badlapur along with some aides and allegedly robbed Rs one lakh and abducted a girl.
Damle was armed as he walked into Sadhna Bhuvan in Thane District on Tuesday night and ‘rescued her love interest’ where se was allegedly kept against her wishes by her uncle, Naresh Ratnakar. In the footage, Damle and his men can be seen manhandling the woman. According to reports, the group of men also argued with the members of the ashram and beat up Ratnakar before taking the girl with them, fired a gun shot in the air and stole Rs 1 lakh as well.
Avinash Ambhure, additional superintendent of police, Thane Rural told The Indian Express, “The woman spoke to Damle later on Tuesday evening and told her she was safe, but Damle insisted on meeting her. He went to the ashram around 11 pm Tuesday.” He further added, “Damle’s people jumped over the wall and started fighting with the ashram people. The uncle fired a round in the air from his 12 bore gun from the second storey of the ashram.”
Damle reportedly told Times of India, “When I reached the ashram, I was greeted with abuses and someone even fired a shot at me. Why will I rob Rs one lakh when I have shown in my election affidavit that I have cash and assets valued over Rs 70 crore? This is a frame-up by my political foes.”
Responding to the incident, NCP spokesperson told a news agnecy, “We condemn the incident. NCP will never approve such an action. We have expelled Damle from the party with immediate effect.”
A case has been filed agianst Damle for armed dacoity and kidnapping based on the complaint by Naresh Ratnakar.