PUNE, Aug. 5 -- The Pune police have denied allegations of caste-based abuse and assault by officers during a raid on a residence in Kothrud, even as the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) demanded immediate action, including the registration of a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The controversy stems from an incident earlier this week in which three young women - all social workers - accused Kothrud police personnel of forcibly entering their home, illegally detaining them, using casteist slurs, and physically assaulting them. The women alleged that the police targeted them for helping another woman in distress. The allegations triggered sharp political reactions and protests, with the Congress and NCP(SCP) accusing the Pune Police of high-handedness and caste bias. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshavardhan Sapkal called the incident a reflection of the deteriorating law and order situation in the city. "Police arrogance is growing, while drug rackets and gangs remain unchecked. The officers responsible for harassing these women must be booked under the Atrocities Act," he said, questioning why the FIR had not been registered. NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule also flagged the matter, stating on social media platform X that she had received a video showing the alleged abuse. "If the contents of the video are true, it is extremely serious. The Home minister must take urgent cognisance," she posted. The incident prompted protests outside the Pune Police Commissionerate late into Saturday night. Among those who accompanied the women and demanded accountability was Sujat Ambedkar, son of VBA president Prakash Ambedkar....