Shiv Sena leader Naresh Mhaske was arrested for allegedly assaulting a government servant in Thane after a heated altercation, police said on Wednesday. Mhaske, Leader of House in Thane Municipal Corporation, was arrested on Tuesday and produced before a local magistrate, who released him on bail, police sources said.

The incident took place on October 8 when Mhaske allegedly roughed up a MSEB employee Naresh Hirey when the latter was checking power thefts in Kopri area during the Navaratri festival.

The Navaratri Mandal which had illegally drawn power from the MSEB cable was headed by Mhaske. The trouble began when flying squad officials of MSEB objected to this. Soon a brawl ensued and the leader slapped the employee.

Following the incident, the opposition demanded action against the Sena leader immediately and police registered an offence against him the day after and arrested him later.

Raman Batavale of the local Navaratri Utsav Mandal was also charged with Mhaske for the assault, the police said. Mhaske denied all the charges while talking to newsmen.

He alleged that the complainant who visited the site was demanding money from the organisers. When denied money, he got upset and filed a false complaint, Mhaske said.