Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Pune Environmentalist Alleges Abuse And Threats During Ganesh Festival Attack
Vidyanand Bapat was attacked while speaking to a news channel in Pune.
He is known for opposing loud noise during the Ganesh festival.
Bapat said the attacker called him insulting names, including “anti-Ganesh” and “atheist.”
He also said the attacker used bad language.
According to Bapat, the attacker threatened to kill him.
The attack happened on Tilak Road on September 4.
Police first filed the case against an unknown person.
Police later identified the suspect as Santosh Chavan and charged him under several provisions of Indian law.
Vidyanand Bapat alleged that he was attacked on September 4 while giving an interview to TV9 Marathi.
Bapat said he was called “anti-Ganesh” and “atheist” and subjected to explicit verbal abuse.
He alleged the attacker threatened to kill him over his opposition to festival noise and DJs.
The incident occurred on Tilak Road in Pune during the Ganesh festival period.
Police initially registered the FIR against an unidentified person but later identified him as Santosh Chavan and invoked five Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions.
- Who
- Vidyanand Bapat alleged that Santosh Chavan attacked him; police identified Chavan after initially naming an unidentified person in the FIR.
- What
- An alleged physical attack involving insults, obscene abuse, and a death threat.
- When
- September 4.
- Where
- Tilak Road, Pune, while Bapat was giving an interview to TV9 Marathi.
- Why
- Bapat alleged the attack was connected to his opposition to noise pollution and DJs during the Ganesh festival.
- Complainant
- Vidyanand Bapat
- Identified suspect
- Santosh Chavan
- Location
- Tilak Road, Pune
- Media interview
- TV9 Marathi
- Alleged motive
- Bapat’s opposition to noise pollution and DJs during the Ganesh festival
- Legal provisions
- BNS 115(2), 353(2), 352, 351(2), and 296