8 Booked For Assaulting Tourists At Sinhagad Fort

A group of tourists was allegedly assaulted by eight people at Sinhagad Fort in Pune on Sunday. The incident occurred around 2 pm when the fort was crowded with tourists due to the holiday and monsoon season.

The tourists, including a family and their friends, were confronted by a group of young men and women associated with the Samast Hindu Bandhav Army (SHB Army). The group was questioned about wearing Bermuda shorts and taking photographs near the Tanaji Malusare memorial.

The confrontation turned violent, and the accused allegedly assaulted the tourists with their hands and a plastic stick. The incident began after objections were raised over the clothes worn by tourists, including an 8-year-old girl who was wearing Bermuda shorts.

The police were informed, and a complaint was lodged by Avadhut Pandurang Patil, a 39-year-old resident of Dhayari. Based on his complaint, Haveli Police Station registered a case against the eight accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The accused have been booked under Sections 115(2), 118(1), 189(2), 191(2), and 351(2) of the BNS. The eight accused include Sanket Sanjay Patil and seven others.

Notices under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were issued to the accused. The police had deployed personnel at Sinhagad for bandobast due to the expected high tourist footfall on Sunday.

The incident has drawn attention to alleged moral policing at the popular tourist site, where visitors have faced objections over their clothing. The case is being investigated by Head Constable Ajit Bhujbal of Haveli Police Station.

The action was taken under the guidance of Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, Additional Superintendent of Police Dr Shubhamkumar, and Haveli Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sunilkumar Pujari.

The incident highlights the need for tourists to be aware of the cultural sensitivities of the places they visit. However, it also raises concerns about moral policing and the need for the authorities to ensure that tourists feel safe and welcome.

The police have said that further investigation is underway, and appropriate action will be taken against the accused. The incident has sparked a debate about the balance between cultural sensitivity and personal freedom, and it remains to be seen how the authorities will address this issue in the future.