Kalyan corporator who slapped waterworks contractor arrested, released on bail

Following an uproar over "MNS-style treatment", police arrested Kalyan-Dombivali corporator Nitin Nikam Monday for repeatedly slapping a 65-year-old waterworks contractor. Nikam was, however, released on bail for Rs 7,000 within a few hours.

Senior inspector Jagdish Lohalkar said Kolsewadi police arrested the MNS corporator under IPC sections 341, 323, and 504.

He had dismissed the incident Sunday and charged the corporator with a non-cognizable offence. But police said Monday Nikam was not arrested because the government hospital in Kalyan was closed Sunday and the victim could not be examined.

"We initially booked Nikam for assault. It is only after sending the victim to Thane Civil Hospital Monday, that we added other sections. Nikam was produced before a magistrate in Kalyan and got bail on a bond Rs 7,000. Once result of the victim's medical exam comes, we will add further sections," said Lojalkar.

Nikam had repeatedly slapped Digambar Patil Saturday morning for failing to solve a water problem in Kalyan (East) caused by a pipe burst.

Despite the arrest, the corporator felt vindicated as the water problem in Sitapur Nagar has been solved.

"For the past two days we have been receiving continuous water supply. We can't keep talking to everyone and waiting for them to work," said Nikam triumphantly.

The D ward corporator claimed he saved the contractor rage of Sitapur Nagar residents.

"I know the man is as old as my father but people have been suffering and he was not giving proper replies. If I had not slapped him, people would have beaten him up," said he.

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