Accused turns out to be cousin of Sena (UBT) worker; confesses to throwing some red substance on Meenatai Thackeray’s statue; alludes to property dispute, police say they are verifying this claim
The statue of Meenabai Thackeray at the entrance of Shivaji Park, which was cleaned after being targeted by a vandal. PICS/ASHISH RAJE
The Shivaji Park police arrested one person on Wednesday night for throwing some red substance on the statue of Meenatai Thackeray at Shivaji Park early Wednesday morning. The incident sparked anger within the Thackeray family and among Uddhav Thackeray’s party workers, who had given the police 24 hours to nab the accused.
The arrested person, identified as Upendra Gunaji Pawaskar, is said to be the cousin of a worker from Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. According to sources, he has confessed to the crime. During interrogation, the accused said he acted over some property dispute and cops are verifying it. At present, the police have recorded his statement and further investigation has begun.
CCTV cameras at the spot, which looks like its wires have been deliberately cut, failed to capture the culprit
According to a police officer, the incident occurred between 6 am and 6.30 am on Wednesday. Five cameras had been installed above the statue at the Shivaji Park entrance, but the statue itself was not covered. Around 7 am, locals noticed the statue and informed Shiv Sena workers. Meanwhile, the Shivaji Park police registered the FIR against the unidentified person. A police officer said, “Around five cameras are installed at the spot, and all are working. They cover the surrounding area, but the statue itself falls in a blind spot.
Cops inspect the CCTV footage downloaded on their phones for clues as to who was behind the defacement
There is also a 360-degree rotating camera, but it was not moving from left to right. However, many locals were captured. We used footage from the cameras to identify the accused.” The police had questioned five suspects before zeroing in on Pawaskar.
6 am and 6.30 am
Window within which incident is believed to have occurred.
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