The incident occurred when a team from the anti-encroachment department tried to demolish three illegal stalls outside Marathi Granth Sangrahalay on Netaji Subhash Road at Bazarpeth. The library staff had complained to the department that the stalls were blocking its entrance and sought their immediate removal.

Soon after Assistant Municipal Commissioner Sandeep Kalambe arrived at the spot to demolish the stalls, Thane district Shiv Sena president Anand Dighe, Mayor Vaity and Sena corporator Smita Indulkar and her husband Subhash, a Sena worker, also arrived.

Criticising the civic staff's decision to demolish the stalls, Indulkar allegedly abused them. When one of the workers Gautam Patil told her that they were only following orders, Vaity roughed up Patil while his party colleaguescheered.

Later, Patil lodged a complaint with the Thane city police.While Indulkar defended her actions, stating, "I am fighting for the rights of these poor people who have no other alternative source of income," the Mayor dismissed the charge of attack "as untrue," and refused to comment.Shaken by the experience the anti-encroachment department boycotted work on Friday "protesting the high-handedness of the Sena."