There are many stories about it on the internet and some books/magazines. Here is what Sidharth Bhatia writes in his book about the Patels:
"There were rumors that Shanta Apte had come to his office and landed a few blows on him with a large stick for something he had written-at least two writers, manto and KA Abbas, mentioned this in their books...."
Here is a newspaper account in the Indian Express (Madras Edition), August 23, 1938.
Now You Know!