KALYAN: The trouble of former police constable Shailesh Patil, who is on the run in a gang-rape case registered against him and former BJP MLA Narendra Pawar, may increase further as an alleged aide of Patil has threatened a Kalyan-based builder, Rohit Dixit, asking him to withdraw another case filed against Patil in court or face dire consequences, the builder has alleged.Dixit approached Khadakpada police, alleging that Yogesh Harad made a WhatsApp call to him on Friday, abused him and pressured him to withdraw his complaint against Patil and Prashant Deshmukh. Dixit alleged that Harad threatened him with serious consequences when he refused to withdraw the complaint.Based on the complaint, Khadakpada police registered a non-cognisable report under Sections 352 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police are probing the allegations and are also expected to ascertain whether Harad allegedly acted at the instance of Patil or Deshmukh.Patil and Deshmukh have faced criminal cases in the past, according to police records. Patil is currently wanted in connection with the gang-rape case registered by Padgha police following a complaint by a 22-year-old married woman. Pawar has also been named as a co-accused. Both are yet to be arrested.Patil had previously faced at least four criminal cases, including allegations relating to sexual assault, fraud involving a South African national and extortion.Meanwhile, UBT MLA and Kalyan Sampark Pramukh of UBT Varun Sardesai visited Kalyan and questioned the police over the delay in arresting Pawar and Patil. He demanded Pawar’s arrest and questioned why both accused remained at large despite the registration of the FIR.Sardesai said that political opponents often face immediate action when allegations are made against them, and questioned why action had not yet been taken in this case despite the complainant coming forward with serious allegations of gang rape.
