Maharashtra: Mob led by NCP leader ransacks ashram, loots Rs 1 lakh

THANE: A mob led by a NCP corporator allegedly ransacked an ashram of the local spiritual leader Ratnakar Maharaj and looted Rs one lakh at Ingaon village of Badlapur in the district, police said today.

The incident took place late last night when the mob of around 20-25 persons led by NCP corporator Ashish Damle attacked the ashram and damaged its property, API P S Giri of Kulgaon Police Station said.

The inmates were also manhandled and the mob also looted Rs one lakh from the ashram, Giri said.

However, police said that no one was injured in the incident.

A case under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 457 (lurking house-trespass) and 506 (criminal intimidation) and other relevant sections of IPC has been registered in the connection, the officer said.

Investigations are underway and efforts are on to nab the accused, police said.

Meanwhile, NCP has suspended Damle from the party. "NCP has expelled the said corporator from the party as nobody has right to take law into their hands", party spokesperson Nawab Malik said.