RCF manager held for molestation

MUMBAI, SEPT 28: A personnel manager with the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF) has been arrested for molesting a woman who had met him to plead her disabled husband’s case as the latter was recently discharged from the company on medical grounds. The manager, M D Patil, was arrested by the RCF police on Monday and charged under Section 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.

Sunanda Kapadne, wife of a loco operator, Shantaram, (57), had been called by Patil to discuss her husband’s case on Monday. Once there, Patil asked Shantaram to wait outside his cabin and asked Sunanda to step inside. According to Senior Police Inspector, Manik Wadane, Patil misbehaved with Sunanda who tried to flee herself from Patil’s grasp. In the scuffle, her blouse tore but she managed to run out of Patil’s office. She then proceeded to the RCF police station, where she lodged a complaint. Patil was arrested and released on bail.

Soon, RCF workers led by former corporator, Phulabai Sonawne, helda morcha outside the police station and demanded that Patil be suspended forthwith. Led by former mayor, Chandrakant Handore, workers and union leaders of the Republican Party of India also held a 2,500-strong demonstration outside the RCF unit at Trombay. They said if Patil was not suspended soon, they would organise further protests.