Ex-Belagavi mayor held for assaulting retired police officer

Former mayor Shivaji Suntakar has been arrested on charges of assaulting a retired police officer by the Mal-Maruti police here. He was produced before the second additional judicial magistrate first class court, which sent him to judicial custody on Monday.

Suntakar assaulted the retired police officer Sadanand Shivaram Padolkar, a resident of Basava Layout at Ramateerth Nagar and native of Chinchali Raibag on Saturday. 

The incident occurred when Padolkar, who was on a morning walk, asked Suntakar to remove his car that was parked in the middle of Belagavi-Kanabargi road, hampering traffic movement.

A quarrel ensued between Padolkar and Suntakar, who was joined by his son and another relative. The trio abused Padolkar in foul language and manhandled him. They were in no mood to listen even though Padolkar told them he was a retired police officer.

Padolkar has filed a complaint with the police, accusing Suntakar and the two others of assault and threat to life. The police arrested Suntakar late on Sunday evening. The Mal-Maruti police have registered a case in this connection. Advocates representing Suntakar have moved a bail application for his release.