Pune activist and YouTuber Santosh Pandit, who is known for raising questions about development projects and civic problems in the city, has been arrested for allegedly making obscene and abusive comments about women.
Police detained Pandit from his residence at around 1 am after receiving a complaint against him.
Preliminary information indicates that Pandit had used his YouTube videos to question development work in Pune’s Kothrud area, during which he allegedly made obscene and abusive remarks.
A case was registered against him following a complaint by a woman.
According to the FIR, the complainant alleged that Pandit’s comments were obscene and had the potential to outrage the modesty of women. She also claimed that his remarks amounted to molestation and insult of several women.
The police subsequently registered a case against Pandit based on the complaint.
A few days before his arrest, Pandit had also uploaded a video containing allegedly objectionable remarks about Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil.
Police registered a case against two people after former BJP corporator Sunil Pandey filed a complaint.
According to Pandey’s complaint, the video criticised public representatives for allegedly failing to address issues brought up by citizens. However, he alleged that the content crossed the line from criticism into abusive and offensive remarks against Patil.
'THANK YOU FOR ARRESTING ME'
Pandit’s arrest led to a dramatic scene outside his home, with his family filming the entire episode. The police team arrived in two vehicles, and some officers were dressed in plain clothes.
While being taken towards the police vehicle, Pandit was heard saying that police personnel had entered his house around midnight.
He then spoke to a uniformed officer, saying, “If I have caused you any inconvenience or if you feel I have not cooperated, I apologise. Thank you for arresting me.”
Pandit later stopped the police and handed over his mobile phone, car keys and belt to his family members. He was also heard saying that he was aware of which of his belongings were not required by the police.
The video of the arrest has since gone viral on social media, prompting strong reactions from users.
One social media user commented, “Killing democracy day by day,” while another questioned, “But where is the proof of his derogatory remarks against Patil?”
