Badlapur : Nearly two months after Badlapur police registered a case in the assault on Akshay Gaikwad, the perpetrators of the attack were arrested on April 30, 2025.

The failure of the police to arrest the perpetrators of the attack on Gaikwad, a member of the Bahujan community, was strongly protested by the community. Members of the community organised a protest outside the ACP’s office in Ambernath on April 27 and 28.

The case, originally registered at Badlapur West police station on March 9, 2025, alleged that Gaikwad was brutally assaulted in what his supporters claim was a caste violence.

When police failed to take action even after the registration of the FIR, protesters camped outside the ACP’s office. On April 28, the ACP assured the accused would be arrested shortly and were arrested on April 30. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.

Surprisingly, a case was registered against the protesters at Ambernath West police station on April 30. The action by the police sparked outrage, with community leaders condemning it as an attempt to intimidate those fighting for justice.

“Why should a case not be filed against the ACP as a co-accused? The delay in arresting the accused despite the FIR clearly indicates negligence. Officers who fail to act in time must be held accountable.” Bahujan Mukti Party’s Maharashtra working president Nilesh Yelve told Newsband.

In response, the ACP said, “We have arrested the accused and we are working on the case. The investigation is ongoing as per legal procedure.”

The case continues to be a focal point for Dalit rights activists, who insist that this is not just about one incident, but about systemic injustice faced by marginalized communities.