THANE: An undertrial has been convicted and sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment by the district court here for manhandling an on duty police constable in July 2018.The assistant sessions judge N H Makhare, convicted Aakash Tawde 28, a resident of Malvani, and collectively fined Rs 10,000.Tawade was earlier arrested in a molestation case of a minor girl and booked under Section 354 as well as other sections of Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at Malwani police station and was in magistrate custody at Thane central jail.Prosecutor Vinit Kulkarni told the court that the complainant police constable was a part of the escort party who were to escort the six undertrials to the court in Dindoshi, Mumbai for a hearing on July 07, 2018 at about 11.30am.Kulkarni said as it was raining, the escort party asked the undertrials to take shelter in the shed outside the central jail but the accused asked the constable to connect him through his mobile phone to talk to his family members.When the constable refused and asked the undertrials to hurry up, the accused gazed angrily towards him.In the meantime, the accused started smoking a beedi when the constable asked him to desist. The accused got aggressive and abused the constable, snatched his leather belt and manhandled him.Subsequently, the accused was tried for the offences punishable under sections 353 and 332 of the Indian Penal Code.Kulkarni told the court that the accused used criminal force and there is no deterrence in the mind of accused. It cannot be forgotten that every citizen has to respect the police constable who is discharging his duty to ensure law and order. The accused forgot that the constable was a public servant and aggressively with intent to prevent or deter him committed an offence and therefore, maximum punishment may kindly be inflicted.The defence counsel contested the case and the accused through his lawyer told the court that he has not committed any offence.The judge, after hearing both the sides in the order, observed, "The accused showed his aggressive nature and interrupted the police persons who were discharge their lawful duty. Also he has shown his aggression on October 26 in the court room beyond the control of the police team. Therefore, it is unwarranted to extend benefit of Probation of Offenders Act, and it is improper to take a lenient view."

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