A Mumbai court grants Mayor Ritu Tawde an exemption from appearing in court in a seven-year-old assault case, while imposing a Rs 300 cost on her and two other accused. The court allows a fresh exemption plea but requires the costs to be paid before the next hearing.
The case relates to allegations that Tawde and others entered a municipal Urdu-medium school in Vakola on July 29, 2016, after a dispute involving a teacher. The prosecution says the accused assaulted two school teachers following a heated exchange about the teacher’s transfer. Police registered the FIR on August 11, 2016, and charges have been framed, with the trial expected to begin.
Different outlets describe the same procedural outcome: NDTV and Free Press Journal report the court also imposed Rs 300 on the other accused whose exemption was allowed, while Times of India highlights the cost and exemption in its coverage. All accounts refer to the court noting prior exemption had been granted as a last chance and setting a payment timeline ahead of the next date of hearing, October 7.
