Mumbai: Man held for vandalism, knife threats in Kandivali East

According to police, the accused brandished a knife and attacked two people with a stone. Pic via Samiullah Khan

A man identified as Bala Patil was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly vandalising a medical store and a mobile shop at Lokhandwala, in Mumbai's Kandivali East.

According to police, the accused brandished a knife and attacked two people with a stone, triggering panic in the area.

Locals said Patil had also threatened residents with a knife two days earlier, for which a complaint was filed. However, police had then registered only a non-cognizable offence (NC).

Residents further alleged that the accused was involved in extortion, often demanding intoxicating medicines from medical stores without a valid prescription and assaulting shopkeepers if they refused.

Police have now booked the accused under charges including attempt to murder, relevant sections of the Mumbai Police Act, extortion, and vandalism. He has been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway.