An economics graduate and a mechanical engineer played a key role in overpowering the 21-year-old youth who attacked a 20-year-old college student in Sadashiv Peth on Tuesday morning.
Harshal Patil, a 23-year-old economics graduate who is preparing for Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) civil services exams, had stepped out of his library when he saw the attacker, later identified as Shantanu Jadhav, running with a machete in his hand.
“I initially thought it was something related to Koyta gang. But moments later I realised that he was chasing a girl who was crying for help. My fellow student Leshpal Javalge, who was present there, ran to help the girl. By the time we could reach there, the girl had fallen down on the ground after being struck by the attacker. Leshpal reached first and caught hold of the machete the attacker was carrying. I too reached there and some other people came and we overpowered the attacker. I took away his machete and we all together restricted his movement,” Patil told The Indian Express.
Javalge, 29, a mechanical engineering graduate who is also preparing for MPSC exams, said, “I have heard and read about many incidents where victims had to suffer because people around were afraid to intervene when the perpetrators committed the crimes. Same was happening here. Many were just watching as the girl ran for her life.”
Later in the day, Javalge and Patil were felicitated by several political and social organisations.
“I am announcing a reward of Rs.51,000/- each to two young men who are preparing for MPSC in Pune, Leshpal Khabige and Harshad Patil, who risked their lives to save a girl’s life today.” NCP leader Jitendra Awhad tweeted.
