Pune: Pepper Spray Attack on Author Dr Sampat Jadhav After Heated Debate on Scheduled Caste Sub-Categorisation
Pune, 20th April 2026: Author and social thinker Dr Sampat Jadhav was allegedly pepper-sprayed following a heated Matang community meeting on the sub-categorisation of Scheduled Caste reservations in Pune on Sunday.
The attack took place near the Annabhau Sathe statue in Sarasbaug around 10 pm. Deepak Kundlik Kasbe (35), an office-bearer of a Matang community organisation, filed an FIR at Swargate police station after he too was assaulted while trying to intervene.
According to the complaint, a group of men allegedly abused Jadhav after the meeting. When Kasbe stepped in to calm the situation, the accused allegedly beat him, threatened him at gunpoint, and struck him on the head with the butt of a pistol. They then sprayed pepper spray on Kasbe and several others present, including Jadhav.
Speaking to the media, Jadhav said sub-categorisation of Scheduled Caste reservations must follow constitutional procedures. He currently serves as a member of the Maharashtra government’s Sahityaratna Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Charitra Sadhane Prakashan Samiti.
Police have registered a case against five individuals — Sahdev Dhaware, Pravin Popatrao Shelar, Pramod Nade, Swapnil Sonawane, and Omkar Hinge — under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) including 118(1), 115(2), 189(4), 191(2), 191(3), 351(1), along with provisions of the Indian Arms Act.
Police said that two suspects have been arrested in the case, while further investigation is underway.
