THANE: A day after Padgha police registered an FIR against former Kalyan West MLA Narendra Pawar and dismissed policeman Shailesh Patil for allegedly gangraping a 22-year-old married woman at a farmhouse in Bapgaon, Congress group leader in KDMC Kanchan Kulkarni on Friday sought police protection for the survivor and her family.Kulkarni, who accompanied the woman to the police station, claimed the survivor’s life was in danger because of the accused’s influence. She urged CM Eknath Shinde to intervene and ensure security for her.Meanwhile, Padgha police conducted a spot panchnama at the farmhouse in Bapgaon to collect forensic evidence. Seperate police teams have also been formed to trace Pawar and Patil, who remain absconding. Pawar has denied the charge, calling them false. He has also resigned from all his BJP organisational posts. – Pradeep Gupta
