Mumbai:
The Santa Cruz police on Saturday evening arrested renowned fashion designer Riyaz Gaangji, 40, on charges of assault and criminal intimidation after he allegedly beat up a senior citizen over a dispute on beautifying a patch of land in Santa Cruz (West).
Gaangji was produced in the Bandra court on Sunday and released on bail.
The police said that Gaangji had a scuffle with Dinanath Chaturvedi, 70, a resident of New Sujata Society at Juhu Tara Road. Gaangji had taken a store and a flat on rent in the same society and was yet to start his attire store Libas.
"On the basis of the complaint filed by Chaturvedi, we arrested Gaangji on Saturday night and he was produced in the Bandra court and released on bail" said senior inspector, Madhukar Chaudhari of Santa Cruz police station.
"There was a huge pile of debris lying in the society compound. When I had met the society secretary around two weeks back, they did not tell me anything about it. Later I learnt that they were refusing to clear it. As I have several high profile clients, the debris outside my store would have prevented them from walking in and could have affected my business," said Gaangji.
He added that he got a few men to clear the debris and beautify the patch with small plants.
While the men were working on Saturday around 8pm, the building members objected to the clearing of debris following which they had an argument with the men."
The residents in their complaint said that during the argument Gaangji assaulted Chaturvedi.
However, Gaangji claims he was inside his flat on the first floor. "My men were thrashed by the residents and I had nothing to do with it. I am now going to approach the deputy commissioner of police (zone IX) against the residents' behaviour," said Gaangji.
Gaangji has several stores across the country. He ties up filmmakers and fashion show organisers for designing garments.
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