8-Year-Old Girl’s Shorts Trigger Clash at Sinhagad Fort; 8 Booked by Pune Rural Police

Pune, 18th August 2026: Haveli police have registered a case against eight alleged members of the Samast Hindu Bandhav Army, also referred to as the SHB Army, after a family and several other tourists were allegedly assaulted at Sinhagad Fort over their clothing.

According to a complaint filed with Haveli Police Station under Pune rural police, the confrontation began after members of the group objected to an eight-year-old girl wearing Bermuda shorts. Her father was subsequently slapped and threatened, while several young men and women visiting the historic fort were also allegedly assaulted.

The eight people named in the case are:
Sanket Sanjay Patil
Ashish Dilip Bhujbal
Resham Narayan Kawale
Sakshi Sujit Chavan
Kevin Suraj Jadhav
Amar Ramchandra Shinde
Kunal Kisan Nalawade
Aashay Pravin Kawale

Family confronted near Tanaji Malusare memorial

The incident took place between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, according to the complaint.

The complainant, a 42-year-old Dhayari resident, had visited Sinhagad Fort with his wife, son, daughter and other family members. Their friend, a resident of Manjari, was also accompanying them.

The group reportedly visited the memorial of Tanaji Malusare, the celebrated Maratha military commander associated with the Battle of Sinhagad, and took photographs there. As they proceeded from the memorial, they allegedly encountered seven or eight young men and women associated with the Samast Hindu Bandhav Army.

Members of the group allegedly objected to the visitors’ clothing, particularly the Bermuda shorts worn by the complainant’s eight-year-old daughter.

“Why have you come wearing Bermuda shorts? Why are you taking photographs here? Go down,” the group allegedly told the family.

The girl’s father reportedly attempted to defuse the confrontation and said: “We are leaving. Are you now going to assault us?”

Three members of the group then allegedly stepped forward and slapped him across the face. They also reportedly intimidated the family while saying: “Don’t you understand the culture here?”

Other tourists allegedly assaulted

The report said the confrontation was not limited to the family. Several other tourists at the fort were allegedly confronted and assaulted by members of the same group.

Those identified as having allegedly been attacked included:
Khushboo Nityanand Batwane
Karishma Nityanand Batwane
Vishal Manohar Khandagale
Adarsh Dashrathrao Dhekale, a resident of Bharwadi

Police subsequently brought the accused to the police station. The complainant and other alleged victims were asked to identify those involved in the attacks.

The victims reportedly identified the individuals who had allegedly assaulted them, following which Haveli police registered a case against all eight accused.

Police promise strict action

Rajesh Ramgore, Police Inspector at Haveli Police Station, confirmed that the dispute had allegedly begun over the eight-year-old girl’s clothing.

“An eight-year-old girl from a family visiting Sinhagad was wearing Bermuda shorts. Her father was assaulted over this. Other young men and women were also assaulted,” Ramgore said.

He added that police would not tolerate such incidents at the popular tourist destination.

“We will not tolerate any such acts. Strict action will be taken against those concerned,” the police inspector said.

Further investigation into the incident is underway.