Navi Mumbai News: 20-Year-Old Vashi College Student Assaulted Over Use Of Marathi In WhatsApp Group; 1 Accused Identified, Probe Underway

Navi Mumbai: The main accused in the assault of a 20-year-old college student over a dispute about using Marathi in a class WhatsApp group has been served a notice and preventive action has been initiated, confirmed ACP (Vashi division) Adinath Budhwant on Saturday.

The incident had sparked outrage earlier this week after the victim, Suraj Vitthal Pawar, a B.Sc. IT student at I.C.L.E.S. Motilal Jhunjhunwala College, was allegedly attacked by four classmates outside the college in Vashi.

Main accused served notice, preventive action underway

While the primary accused, Faizan Naik (20), was named in the FIR, police officials have now identified another youth involved in the attack. "We have identified one more accused in the case, and efforts are on to trace the remaining two individuals," ACP Budhwant said. Statements from eyewitnesses and CCTV footage from outside the college campus are being closely examined as part of the investigation.

Police officials have assured that the matter is being handled with utmost seriousness. “We are also verifying the threat calls the victim claims to have received, and appropriate security measures are being ensured,” an officer from the Vashi Police Station added.

Student attacked for using Marathi in WhatsApp group

The attack took place on July 21 around 10.30 AM after an argument escalated over Pawar's insistence on using Marathi in their class WhatsApp group chat. One of the accused allegedly struck Pawar on the head with a hockey stick, while the others punched and verbally abused him.

Victim received threat calls, says police

Pawar initially did not file a complaint due to threats but later approached the Vashi police. An FIR has been registered under sections pertaining to assault, criminal intimidation, and causing hurt.

MNS steps in, demands swift action

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken a firm stand on the matter and visited the police station earlier this week demanding swift and strict action. The party has warned of protests if justice is delayed. Meanwhile when contacted the victim Pawar, he said that he was not interested in sharing any information and that it was there personal issue.