Bhiwandi: Police have registered a case and launched a manhunt for a 23-year-old after he allegedly casteist slurs and tried to attack villagers with swords in Khoni village in Bhiwandi taluka.

The incident occurred during a musical event organized to mark Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14. The accused was identified as Devidas Balaram Patil

According to police sources, Patil initially passed by the venue on a two-wheeler and shouted casteist slurs at the gathering. He then left, to return shortly thereafter on foot armed with two swords.

Eyewitnesses said Patil began waving the swords menacingly and charged at the crowd, creating panic among the villagers. The panic situation forced the villagers to flee the scene.

Following the incident, Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation Assistant Commissioner Balaram Kondu Jadhav lodged a complaint with the Nizampura police. Case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, have been registered.

Senior Police Inspector Vishwas Dagale confirmed that Patil has three to four prior cases filed against him. A police team has been mobilized to apprehend the accused.