Mumbai, Feb 28: A scrap dealer in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district is facing severe repercussions after allegedly raising anti-India slogans following India's victory over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy match on February 23. His rented tin shed scrap shop in Malvan town was demolished by civic authorities following complaints from local residents, a civic official confirmed on Friday.
The incident has left the scrap dealer's family distressed, with plans to leave Malvan due to growing concerns over their safety. The scrap dealer and his wife were arrested, and their minor son was detained after locals reported them to the police. The following day, the Malvan Municipal Council (MMC) demolished the 38-year-old’s scrap shop, labeling it an unauthorized structure.
MMC’s CEO and administrator, Santosh Jirage, stated that the demolition was initiated due to complaints regarding the littering of scrap materials on the road. A notice had been issued to the shop's owner in January, and he had responded in writing, permitting the removal of the structure.
Jirage maintained that the demolition was a coincidence and not directly linked to the controversy over the slogans. However, he acknowledged that a letter from a local MLA and police had preceded the action. He also mentioned that 200-300 political workers were present during the demolition but was unsure of their activities after the municipal team left the site.
Adding to the family's troubles, the elder brother of the accused also faced eviction, with his scrap godown being demolished. Despite having paid a monthly rent of ₹3,000 for the past four months, he did not have a formal rental agreement. The family, originally from Uttar Pradesh, has been residing in Malvan for the past two decades.
A relative of the family stated that the situation has instilled fear among them, leading one of the siblings and his wife to leave town without informing anyone. The elder brother’s daughter, currently appearing for her Class 10 SSC exams at a local Marathi-medium school, is set to complete her final paper on March 17, after which the family plans to relocate.
While the scrap dealer and his wife are now out on bail, Malvan police confirmed that a chargesheet will be filed after a thorough investigation. The family has urged authorities to conduct a fair probe into the incident.