Personal Assistant of NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad Faces 2-Year Externment in Aher Assault Case

Thane police have taken action against Abhijit Pawar, the personal assistant to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Jitendra Awhad, following his involvement in the assault of TMC assistant commissioner Mahesh Aher on March 15, 2023. Pawar has been accused of several serious crimes, including extortion and attempted murder, and as a result, a two-year externment order has been issued against him.

On May 12, 2023, Abhijit Pawar, along with three other individuals, received externment notices in connection with the attack on Aher. These individuals are NCP party workers Hemant Wani, Vikram Khamkar, and Vishant Gaikwad. Later, an externment order specifically for Abhijit Pawar was issued by Thane Deputy Commissioner of Police Ganesh Gawde. As per the order, they are prohibited from entering Mumbai, Mumbai suburbs, Raigad, Palghar, and Thane districts.

According to a police officer from Naupada police station, Abhijit Pawar was dropped off in Vathar village in Satara by a team from Naupada police on May 15. The officer requested anonymity.

Initially, when the police issued the notice of externment, the NCP's Thane city president, Anand Paranjape, expressed his anger. However, the police proceeded with the action.

The attack on Mahesh Aher took place following the circulation of an alleged audio clip in which he was purportedly heard instigating the murder of NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad's daughter and son-in-law. The incident took place at the entrance of the TMC headquarters, where four individuals, including Abhijit Pawar, allegedly assaulted Aher. Naupada Police lodged a case against seven individuals, including Awhad, on charges that include attempted murder and obstruction of government work.

Following the incident, the four individuals involved, including Abhijit Pawar, were granted bail by the Thane court. According to Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Dhumal from Naupada police station, Abhijit Pawar has been charged with serious offenses that have been registered at Vartak Nagar, Srinagar, Kalwa, and Naupada police stations.