A 26-year-old social media influencer faced a harrowing ordeal allegedly at the hands of her boyfriend, the son of a senior bureaucrat, near a hotel in Thane, Maharashtra. The incident, occurring on December 11, led to grave injuries for the victim, identified as Priya, who is currently receiving treatment in a private hospital.
According to Priya's social media posts, her boyfriend, Ashwajit Gaikwad, along with two friends, was involved in assaulting her. The altercation reportedly escalated to the point where Priya was bitten, assaulted, and then run over by a car, resulting in severe injuries to her stomach, back, arms, and a "broken" right leg.
The victim accused Gaikwad of attempting to suppress the matter using his influence, prompting her to share her traumatic experience on social media. Allegations of police negligence and lack of stringent action further intensified the gravity of the situation. Priya claimed that despite narrating the incident to the authorities, the filing of the First Information Report (FIR) did not accurately represent the severity of the crime.
In response, the police refuted claims of mishandling the case, stating that investigations were underway. They registered a case against the accused and his associates under sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to causing hurt, rash driving, and intentional insult.
The sequence of events, as per Priya's statement, unfolded when she arrived at the Courtyard Hotel to meet Gaikwad. An argument ensued upon his emergence from the hotel, resulting in the alleged assault and subsequent tragic incident where Priya was run over by the SUV as she tried to retrieve her belongings.
Gaikwad, however, denied being in a relationship with Priya, asserting that she was merely a friend who arrived intoxicated at a family function. He claimed that Priya attempted to force a conversation and resorted to abuse and assault when he declined. According to his version, the vehicle was started to prompt Priya to step away, resulting in the unfortunate accident.
The case continues to unfold amidst conflicting narratives and investigations. The seriousness of the allegations, the dynamics of the relationships involved, and the contrasting accounts add layers to this distressing incident in Thane.
