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Suspect Arrested and Remanded in Defacement of Meenatai Thackeray Statue

Police are analyzing CCTV evidence to establish motive, including a review of the man's mental-health history.

Overview

  • Upendra Pawaskar was identified from CCTV footage, arrested on Wednesday evening, and sent to police custody until September 20.
  • An FIR under Section 298 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered at Shivaji Park police station as multiple teams continue to examine footage and question the suspect.
  • Officers told the court they must recover the paint container and determine whether anyone else was involved.
  • Senior leaders across rival camps condemned the act, with Uddhav and Raj Thackeray visiting the site and urging restraint as security was increased around the memorial.
  • Police say the statue was smeared with red oil paint between about 6:10 am and 6:30 am, and the city stayed largely calm after party workers cleaned the bust.