Crime Today News
The `illegal weekly markets` set up on public roads in Mira Road area of Thane district in Maharashtra seems to have turned into hotbeds of lawlessness and intimidation.
In a shocking incident, the son of a local YouTuber, who had been exposing these mafias on social media, was brutally attacked by individuals allegedly running the illegal markets on weekends.
According to police sources, the incident occurred in Narsing Home Gully, which falls under the jurisdiction of Naya Nagar Police Station in Mira Road. The victim, 19-year-old Kaif Aftab Khan, son of Aftab Khan, known for his YouTube channel `City Headline News`, was on his way to a local salon with a friend when he was allegedly attacked.
A tempo carrying goods was causing a traffic jam while reversing in the narrow lane. The group managing the unloading forcibly stopped all passers-by, including Kaif, who was on a bike. When Kaif attempted to pass from the side, a few individuals allegedly stopped him and began to assault him.
Speaking to mid-day, Aftab Khan said, “I had recently covered a story exposing the mafias who extort money from hawkers in the illegal weekly market. These mafias, including the notorious Peshnawaz alias Sonu, also known as ‘Sonu Mental’, have been harassing poor vendors and forcing them to pay for setting up stalls. After I posted the report, resentment against me started growing.”
He added, “Yesterday, these individuals stopped a tempo in the middle of the road to unload goods, blocking traffic. When my son tried to get through, they misbehaved with him and began assaulting him. In self-defence, Kaif slapped one of them.”
“Soon after, six to seven more people arrived, including history-sheeter and alleged drug trafficker Sonu Mental, along with his associates Shanawaz, Adnan, and others. They brutally attacked my son, leaving him with serious injuries.”
Khan further alleged that Sonu Mental and his associates are menacing in the Mira Road area. “He harasses locals, extorts hawkers, and is involved in drug trafficking. Such individuals are a danger to society and deserve to be behind bars.”
Aftab Khan emphasised that the attack on his son was a direct consequence of his reporting. “They want to silence me and are now targeting my family. My son was beaten simply because I exposed their crimes. We are living in fear.”
Police sources confirmed that approximately seven criminal cases have been registered against the absconding accused, Sonu Mental, at Mira Road and Naya Nagar police stations. A proposal to extern him from the area for two years had also been submitted in 2021.
As soon as the matter came to the notice of Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar Police Commissioner Madhukar Pandey, immediate action was ordered.
“Naya Nagar Police has registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including attempt to murder, and an investigation is underway,” said a senior official.
A search operation to locate and apprehend all the accused is ongoing. “Strict legal and preventive action will be taken against those involved,” the police added.
This article first appeared on Mid Day
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