Pune: Criminal assaults traffic cop; arrested

PUNE: Mangesh Ramakant Kale (29), a criminal on police records, was arrested on Monday on the charge of assaulting police constable Parmeshwar Padale with a stone in front of Kalbhairav temple near Mantri Garden in Erandwane at 8.30pm on Sunday.
The Deccan Gymkhana police registered a case against Kale on Monday before arresting him. “Padale was manning the chowk because of the Ganapati immersion ceremony and signals were functioning at night to avert accidents.Kale, riding a motorcycle, came from the Riverbed Road and jumped the signal at the chowk around 8.30pm,” the police said.
Padale whistled after Kale jumped the signal, which allegedly enraged him. “The suspect returned to the junction from the Mehendale Garage area, grabbed Padale and threatened the latter with dire consequences. Padale resisted Kale and both fell on the road. Kale managed to grab a stone and he hit Padale with it on head and cheek. Padale suffered deep injuries on his forehead and cheek,” the police said.