MUMBAI: An entrepreneur scouting for space to run a digital enterprise in Mulund in the eastern suburbs was allegedly turned away by a housing society’s secretary and her son for being a Maharashtrian. The incident led to the filing of a police complaint and drew reactions from across the political spectrum.
The complainant, Trupti Devrukar, has a digital marketing business. She and her husband had approached a broker who informed them of an office space that was available on RP Road, Mulund near PMC Colony. She told police the secretary made it clear that the society would not let out properties to Maharashtrians.
When she tried to record their conversation, the couple was abused and manhandled by the man and his son.
Based on Devrukar’s complaint, Mulund police on Wednesday lodged an FIR and arrested the 80-year-old secretary of Shiv Sadan CHS, Pravin Tanna, and his son Nilesh.
They were booked under IPC sections 341 (wrongful confinement), 323 (assault) and 504 (insults intended to provoke breach of peace). Senior inspector of Mulund police station Kantilal Kothimbire said the duo was arrested on Thursday and released on bail. “We are now collecting evidence against them,” said senior inspector Kothimbire.