Mumbai: The Parsi New Year did not bring much cheer for Poras Parekh yesterday. The 40-year-old assaulted a constable who stopped him for riding a bike without a helmet. According to the traffic police, Parekh twisted Constable Shivaji Bhagwan Salunkhe's (51) thumb and also crushed his feet under his bike.

Parekh, who was travelling with his wife, was stopped at Dadar TT around 12.40 pm. Said Salunkhe, "Instead of showing his licence, he started arguing that he wasn't wearing a helmet, as it was the Parsi New Year."

Parekh then started his bike and drove over Salunkhe's right foot. He then got off and started twisting the constable's right thumb. "I was crying in pain. His wife tried to stop him, but he didn't listen. She even went to a nearby shop and bought a pain reliever for me," said Salunkhe.

Salunkhe then went to Sion Hospital for medical aid. "Though there is no fracture, I can't move my finger. The doctor has asked me to rest for a few days," he said, adding, "People blame us if there are any accidents, but nobody co-operates with us when we stop them for not wearing helmets."

Parekh was eventually taken to the Matunga police station, where he was charged for assaulting a government officer on duty and driving without a helmet. PSI M G Jadhav, the investing officer, said, "We have registered the case and investigations are going on."