Assault case filed against Shinde Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad for attacking canteen staff

Mumbai Police have started taking action against Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) MLA Sanjay Gaikwad for physically assaulting a canteen contractor at the Akashwani MLA residence in Mumbai. Authorities are in the process of filing a non-cognizable offence (NC) against him.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis weighed in, saying, “The police should investigate the matter. There’s no need for a formal complaint to be filed. If a cognizable offence is found, the police will take appropriate action. The extent of force used will determine the nature of the offence.”

The police move comes two days after a video went viral showing Gaikwad hitting the canteen operator over complaints about stale food. Gaikwad said the food—especially the dal—was of poor quality and that he felt sick after eating it.

The two-term MLA from Buldana, reportedly angered by the quality of dal and rice served, confronted the canteen staff. The video shows him berating the operator, refusing to pay the bill, and physically assaulting a worker sitting at the billing counter.

Speaking to reporters later, Gaikwad defended himself, saying he has stayed at the MLA hostel for six years and had previously found lizards and rats in the canteen food. Unapologetic, he said, “This is the ‘Shiv Sena style’ taught by party founder Balasaheb Thackeray. If someone doesn’t understand the language of democracy, this is my way of speaking. I am a warrior,” adding that he wouldn’t hesitate to act this way again if needed.

In response, the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) suspended the license of Ajanta Caterers, the company running the canteen.

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