25 July,2025 08:08 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Gokul Jha, who was initially arrested for assaulting a female hospital receptionist, has now been taken into custody afresh in an older case where he stands accused of attacking the security guard of a building in Kalyan, Thane police stated on Friday, reported news agency PTI.
The alleged incident, which took place in May 2025, came to light during the ongoing investigation into the receptionist assault, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zende. Furthermore, a new case was registered against Jha for unruly conduct while he was being produced in court.
Jha was first arrested on Tuesday after a viral video surfaced showing him kicking a receptionist at a paediatric hospital in Kalyan on Monday evening and subsequently dragging her by her hair. This occurred after she reportedly refused to allow him into the doctor's chamber without an appointment. Another video, which emerged later, indicated that the receptionist had struck Jha's sister-in-law prior to his attack, PTI reported.
The video of Jha's actions sparked widespread outrage. The incident unfolded amid a broader controversy in Maharashtra concerning the use of Hindi and a few documented cases of migrants allegedly being assaulted or threatened for refusing to speak Marathi.
During Jha's questioning, police discovered that a case had been registered against him at Manpada police station in the district.
The case pertains to the alleged assault of Pintya David, the security guard of a housing society, with a sharp weapon on May 16 in the Adivali Dhokli area of Ambernath.
According to PTI, Jha and three other individuals who were loitering on the building's premises allegedly called David over and enquired about the local "bhai" (gangster). When David responded that he did not know, Jha reportedly assaulted him and stabbed him before fleeing the scene.
While the court remanded Jha to judicial custody on Friday after his police remand in the receptionist attack case concluded, the police promptly re-arrested him in connection with this older assault case, DCP Zende confirmed.
Additionally, a new case was registered against him for obstructing government servants after he allegedly misbehaved while being taken to court. This included his refusal to mask to cover his face, which was provided by the police for security reasons, and threatening journalists outside the court premises, the DCP stated, as reported by PTI.
The accused also has a documented criminal record at Vitthalwadi and Kolsewadi police stations within the district.
(With inputs from PTI)
