Asked to sign register, Khar visitor allegedly assaults housing society watchman

CCTV grabs show the tenant allegedly assaulting watchman Vinayak Tiwari while another watchman looks on. Pics/By Special Arrangement

A watchman at a housing society in Khar was allegedly assaulted by a tenant after asking the tenant's visitor to sign the society's register. The incident took place in the early hours of July 29. The watchman, Vinayak (Bablu) Tiwari, alleged that despite the assault, Khar police registered a non-cognisable (NC) complaint instead of an FIR.

Visitor entry

Recalling the incident, Tiwari said the tenant would usually inform him in advance whenever visitors were expected, allowing them to enter without signing the register. "On July 28, I received no such call. Around 10.30 pm, a woman arrived saying she was visiting the tenant. As per society rules, I asked her to enter her details in the register, which she did," he said.

Watchman's account

"Around 2.30 am, the tenant woke me, accusing me of upsetting the visitor. He said she had cried because I stopped her. Then he started beating me. I begged him to stop, but he didn't listen. The other watchman didn't intervene, perhaps out of fear." Society CCTV footage shows the tenant assaulting Tiwari before pushing him out of the society gate around 2.35 am. After medical examination, Tiwari was told both his eardrums had ruptured. "Even the air hurts my ears now," Tiwari added.

Compensation row

The lawyer said the flat owner gave Tiwari around Rs 12,000 following the incident, while the tenant had allegedly promised another Rs 60,000. Tiwari said he had received only Rs 12,000. "I don't know what to do with the money because it feels like a price has been put on my suffering. I still work in the same society because my livelihood depends on this job. Everyone is treating me well," he said. The tenant was removed from the society within two days.