- By Deeksha Gour
- Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:52 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pune News: A Muslim family with a long history of military service, including a Kargil War veteran, was allegedly harassed by a mob of around 60 to 70 people in Pune late on Saturday night. The family claims the group forced entry into their Chandan Nagar home, accused them of being illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and demanded to see identity documents.
According to a Indian Express report, the incident reportedly took place between 11:30 PM and midnight on July 26. Shamshad Shaikh, a member of the family, said the mob began banging on their door and entered without permission. “They demanded ID proofs and even entered bedrooms, waking up women and children,” he recalled. “We showed our Aadhaar, PAN and Voter ID cards, but they dismissed them as fake.”
The family alleges that some people in plain clothes, whom they believed to be police, were present but did nothing to stop the intrusion. They were later taken to the police station in a van and asked to return the next morning, or else be declared Bangladeshis. Shaikh said Inspector Seema Dhakne made the warning. Repeated attempts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful.
Shaikh’s uncle, Hakimuddin, is a retired Kargil War veteran. Several other family members have also served in the Indian Army over generations. Irshad Ahmad, another relative, detailed their military background. “Our family has served the country for over 130 years,” he said. “My great-grandfather was a hawaldar, my grandfather a subedar, and his brother was a DGP in Madhya Pradesh. Two uncles were subedar majors who fought in the 1965 and 1971 wars. Hakimuddin served in the Bombay Sapphires and fought in Kargil.”
The family has shared pension documents and army ID cards as proof of their service. Ahmad added that they have been residing in Pune since the 1960s and were shocked by the intrusion in what they believed was a peaceful city.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar responded to the incident by stating that a case of unlawful assembly has been registered against those who gathered and shouted slogans. “Senior officers visited the location. We have assured the family that their grievances will be addressed properly,” he said, adding that if necessary, more serious charges would be added.
#WATCH | Maharashtra | Army veteran's family allegedly assaulted by mob in Pune and asked to show proof of Indian citizenship
— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2025
Commissioner of Police, Amitesh Kumar says, "An offence of unlawful assembly has been registered against people who gathered there and were raising… pic.twitter.com/KnXMVLaIkN
DCP Somay Munde confirmed that the police action was based on a tip-off regarding suspected illegal immigrants. He clarified that some documents were checked and the individuals were released, but investigations are ongoing. He also stated the mob may have included Bajrang Dal members, based on the family’s allegations.
NCP city working president Pradeep Deshmukh condemned the mob’s actions and said that no one has the right to take the law into their own hands. “This is not how citizens, especially those who’ve served the country, should be treated,” he said. He urged the police to take strict action against both the attackers and any officers found negligent.