Assaulted transgender activist succumbs

Nagpur: Transgender activist Pravin Gajbhiye alias Chamcham, brutally assaulted with sharp weapons on June 4, was declared dead at New Era hospital on Monday where she had been fighting for life. Chamcham was attacked by her former mentor-turned-rival Uttam Bawa Senapati and her gang at Kamna Nagar in Kalamna. Police have now slapped murder charge on Senapati and others.

Chamcham, who had earlier floated a political party and also contested civic elections, was attacked by Senapati at latter’s home following an ongoing tussle over distribution of area, switching loyalty of each others’ followers and sharing of collections and donations. Senapati too had floated a political outfit ‘Baliraja party’.

Following assault, Kalamna police arrested Senapati, her close aide Kiran Gawli, Kamal Uikey, Sonu Parseonikar and Shakir Shaikh. Kalamna police had procured the custody remand of five till Monday. The court had sent Shaikh, Parseonikar and Uikey to jail. Senapati and Kiran were admitted at Mayo hospital after police wanted to conduct a gender examination test on them.

The post-mortem of Chamcham would be conducted amid tight security at Mayo hospital.