Mumbai News: Armed Men Attack Guards Over Land Dispute In Agripada, 41 Held
Mumbai police have arrested 41 individuals, including 20 women, in connection with a shocking incident on Saturday when armed assailants launched a violent attack on security guards deployed at the premises of Money Magnum Nest Pvt Ltd in Agripada, allegedly over a land encroachment dispute, police officials said.
According to the FIR filed by complainant Ganesh Jagannath Salunkhe, a security guard at Money Magnum, the attackers, reportedly associated with Franco India Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, forcibly welded the company's gate shut using iron rods in an attempt to seize control of vacant land.
A larger, armed group of security staff and others then launched a coordinated assault on Salunkhe and his team, hurling stones and bricks and spraying them with chilli powder and chilli water. During the attack, a licensed gun owner allegedly fired at Salunkhe and two female colleagues, apparently with intent to kill.
Agripada police quickly reached the spot and brought the situation under control. They arrested 41 individuals and seized four rifles, pepper spray, and other weapons used in the attack. A manhunt has been launched for Franco company owner Pascal Postel and 15 other absconding accused. The arrested were produced before Esplanade court on Sunday and were remanded in police custody for one day.
Money Magnum has claimed ownership of the disputed land since 2005. They allege that Franco Indian Pharmaceuticals illegally encroached upon a portion of the property and blocked entry gate number 1, deploying private security guards. Magnum guards are stationed at gate number 2.
The dispute is currently being heard in a Mumbai civil court, which previously ruled the Franco encroachment as illegal. Following this, a criminal case was also registered on April 13. However, Franco India has challenged the civil court verdict in the Bombay High Court, which has since issued a status quo order on the matter. Police investigations are ongoing.
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