UBT neta dies after attack by staffers, parts of resort razed ‘on Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde orders’

MUMBAI: Deputy chief of Shiv Sena (UBT) Thane unit died of a suspected heart attack on Sunday following a violent confrontation between two groups triggered by an accident in the parking lot of a resort in Navapur, Virar West. Following the death, civic and revenue officials demolished water slides and illegal structures at the resort early on Monday, purportedly on the CM's orders.
The resort owners said the demolition was undertaken without any notice.A civic official said notices had been issued in the past to the resort for violations.
The Sena (UBT) functionary, Milind More, and his family of over 15 arrived at Seven Sea Water Park and Resort at around 11.30am on Sunday, spent the day there, and gathered at the parking lot around 5.30pm to leave. Some 15 minutes later, a reversing autorickshaw accidentally hit More's nephew, Kunal, at the parking lot, trapping his leg under the rear wheel.
The family moved the vehicle ahead and More slapped the driver, which led to a group of 8-10 men from the resort assaulting him. At least five female members of the owners' family - who call themselves the Meher family - also allegedly joined in. The attack was captured on CCTV cameras at the resort. More collapsed at 5.56pm and was rushed to a nearby private hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
DCP Jayant Bajbale confirmed that More had been beaten up by the mob, adding that he likely died of a cardiac arrest. Police are awaiting autopsy report to determine the exact cause of death.
Arnala police invoked charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, rash driving, rioting and molestation against the alleged assailants. Seven persons, including the autorickshaw driver, were arrested.
More's sister and complainant, Kavita Madvi, has also alleged that some men among the mob touched her and her sister inappropriately.
More's uncle, Jayram, who had tried to intervene during the assault, suffered an injury to his nose, requiring four stitches, while Kunal sustained minor injuries from the autorickshaw hitting him.
CM Eknath Shinde visited More's family. The final rites were conducted in Thane on Monday. The demolition action at the resort was undertaken by civic and revenue officials early Monday amid heavy police security.