Initially, the Marine Drive police registered a non-cognisable (NC) complaint suo motu against Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad and one of his aides, who was also seen assaulting the worker in the footage. However, following public outrage and preliminary findings, the NC was converted into an FIR on Friday
The incident came to light after a video of the altercation surfaced online and went viral, prompting widespread public criticism against Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad (above). File Pic/PTI
Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has been booked by the Marine Drive police on Friday for allegedly assaulting a canteen worker at the government-run MLA hostel in south Mumbai.
The incident came to light after a video of the altercation surfaced online and went viral, prompting widespread public criticism against the legislator.
Police officials said the incident took place late on Tuesday at the hostel's canteen in Colaba.
In the video, Gaikwad is seen confronting the staff over stale food, specifically sour dal and spoiled rice, and allegedly slapping and punching the canteen operator.
Eyewitnesses also claimed that some of his supporters joined in and assaulted the staff. The MLA reportedly instructed others present not to pay for their meals.
Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad was caught on video slapping a canteen staff member at Mumbai’s Akashvani MLA hostel after claiming he was served stale dal and rice. The Buldhana legislator, upset over repeated complaints about food quality, stormed into the canteen, berated the… pic.twitter.com/E6SkubDhNn
— Mid Day (@mid_day) July 9, 2025
Initially, the Marine Drive police registered a non-cognisable (NC) complaint suo motu against Gaikwad and one of his aides, who was also seen assaulting the worker in the footage. However, following public outrage and preliminary findings, the NC was converted into an FIR on Friday. The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) dealing with assault, criminal intimidation, and abuse of authority by a public servant.
Sanjay Gaikwad, who represents Buldhana in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, later defended his actions.
Speaking to the media, he said that he had complained several times about the food quality at the hostel, but no action had been taken.
“If such food is being served to an MLA, imagine what the common man must be getting,” he said.
He also added, “I have no regrets. I am a public representative. When someone doesn’t understand the language of democracy, then I have to use this language. I have complained to the authorities many times. If needed, I will do it again.”
Police confirmed that further investigation is underway in the matter.
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