CCTV footage shows Suryavanshi receiving blows

But clips need enhancement to establish identity of attackers, says crime branch.

Mumbai Crime Branch officers probing the assault on assistant police inspector (traffic) Sachin Suryavanshi by Maharashtra MLAs have analysed a couple of short clips, which they said "need to be enhanced".

Prima facie, the clips suggest there was no provocation and Suryavanshi was at the receiving end of blows, said sources.

He was allegedly cornered and assaulted by MLAs Kshitij Thakur, Ram Kadam and several others in a corridor of Vidhan Bhawan on Tuesday.

Marine Drive Police registered a complaint against the MLAs and the case was subsequently transferred to the crime branch.

"We have viewed two clips of CCTV footage, both are five to seven minutes in length and show Suryavanshi receiving blows," said a crime branch officer.

Asked if faces of the assailants were visible in the clips, the officer said the footage would need enhancement. Police have also sought footage of the alleged argument between Thakur and Suryavanshi on Bandra-Worli Sea Link on Monday that led to the Tuesday assault.

Crime branch officers remained non-committal on whether Kadam and Thakur would be arrested but said police need not seek "permission" from anybody before arresting the MLAs.

"We only need to inform the assembly speaker within 24 hours of the arrest."

Thakur and Kadam have been charged with assault, unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation and deterring a public servant from discharging his duty.

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