Former Sarpanch Arrested For Assaulting Pregnant On-Duty Forest Officer

In a shockingly brutal incident, a former sarpanch and his wife allegedly thrashed a woman forest guard, who is three-four months pregnant, along with her husband at a village in Satara district of Maharashtra.

The incident took place on Wednesday, January 19, at Palsawade village in the western Maharashtra district, located around 120 kms from Mumbai. A case has been registered against the duo at Satara taluka police station.

However, soon the video went viral across social media platforms sparking outrage in the forest department in the district and netizens as well.

The clip showed the man pulling the officer, Sindhu Sanap, 24-year-old, by her hair and dragging through the field while Pratibha locked the ranger's feet.

Trigger Warning : Contains content that some may find Disturbing

In this viral video, it is seen that an on duty pregnant lady forest guard was attacked by former Sarpanch in #Satara district of #Maharashtra. This act has irked citizens. On January 20, the accused was arrested pic.twitter.com/8NiuJ1mqmH

— Mumbai Live (@MumbaiLiveNews) January 20, 2022

Following which the accused couple were arrested, police said on Thursday, January 20.

Confirming the same, Maharashtra Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray on his Twitter handle said, "The accused has been arrested this morning and will face the law at its strictest. Such acts will not be tolerated."

The accused has been arrested this morning and will face the law at its strictest. Such acts will not be tolerated. https://t.co/04shu6ahiz

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) January 20, 2022

According to police, the accused man, who is a member of the local forest management committee, was angry with the woman forest guard for taking the contractual forest labourers along with her "without his permission".

Meanwhile, talking to reporters, the woman forest guard said that her husband, who is also a forest guard, was also beaten up by the couple. It has come to light that the accused identified as Ramchandra Jankar kicked and punched the forest ranger and her husband in a fit of rage after she failed to give in to his corruption.

Moreover, reports stated that since the forest guard is pregnant, a medical examination of her foetus will be carried out. If any foetus is found harmed, then relevant sections will be slapped against the accused.