Mumbai Police on Monday registered a case against 25 people, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray, in connection with a protest held in the Shivaji Park area on Sunday.
The case follows a demonstration outside Shivaji Park Police Station against the detention of protesters who had gathered to oppose Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and demand his resignation over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
Other leaders named in the FIR include MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Varun Sardesai and Mahesh Sawant, according to ANI.
Case registered over alleged unlawful assembly
Police have invoked provisions relating to unlawful assembly and alleged disobedience of orders issued by public authorities. The sections cited in the report include Section 189(2), along with Sections 37(1), 37(3) and 135.
The case comes amid heightened tensions following demonstrations in Mumbai against Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters have raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the electoral process and called for the CEC’s resignation.
Aaditya, Amit Thackeray protest against detentions
On Sunday, Aaditya and Amit Thackeray staged a protest outside Shivaji Park Police Station, demanding the release of people detained during the demonstration. The protest drew attention from leaders of both parties as they challenged the police action against demonstrators.
Aaditya accused the BJP-led government of being afraid of citizens who take to the streets to protest. He alleged that people participating in demonstrations were being arrested and questioned the whereabouts of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and six MPs who had joined his faction.
The remarks reflected the political tensions surrounding the protests, with opposition leaders criticising the detentions and demanding the release of those held by police.
Earlier FIR over October 4 protest march
Mumbai Police had also registered a separate FIR against organisers of a joint march led by MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) on October 4. The case was filed at Azad Maidan Police Station after the march towards the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters allegedly took place without mandatory police permission and in violation of prohibitory orders in force in South Mumbai.
The march targeted CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi protest also sees detentions
Meanwhile, Delhi Police sources said around 1,000 protesters had been detained across the national capital while attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar for a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led demonstration. The protest was also linked to demands concerning the Election Commission and alleged electoral irregularities.
The developments in Mumbai and Delhi have brought police action against demonstrators and demands for accountability in the electoral process into focus.
(With inputs from ANI)
