According to a complaint filed by Manohar Gaikwad, a sub-editor with the newspaper, a 100-strong crowd ransacked the office, pelted it with stones and burnt copies of newspapers.

The Panchavati police have arrested Kardak and ten of her supporters, including seven women. They were later released on personal bonds.

Kardak apparently took offence at a report published in the eveninger's issue dated November 20 accusing Kardak of shielding those involved in peddling of illicit liquor.

The same day, Kardak created a scene in the Nashik Municipal Corporation premises, abusing the newspaper's proprietor, Bhagwan Bhoge.

Bhoge was an office bearer of the local Congress committee and a corporator between 1992 and 1997 when his wife, Asha Bhoge was elected on a Congressticket.

Earlier this year, Bhoge quit the Congress to join the Samajwadi Party. He launched Mahanagar in August 1997.

Bhoge made frequent visits to the NMC office, much to the annoyance of corporators, some of whom accuse him of running the newspaper as a `pressure ploy'.

Later, in its issue dated November 24, the newspaper also alleged that Kardak was involved in power theft.