Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Mumbai Police have registered a case against organisers of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Shivaji Park on October 2, naming the organisers along with 400-500 unidentified participants.
The case, registered at Shivaji Park police station, was filed under Sections 189 and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) invoked for “unlawful assembly” and “disobeying the order of a public servant”. Sections 37(1)(3) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act were also invoked.
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The protest was held without police permission and sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The FIR comes after the CJP, led by Abhijit Dipke, went ahead with the demonstration despite Mumbai Police refusing permission for the gathering.
The police had cited restrictions governing assemblies at Shivaji Park, besides concerns related to traffic movement, public inconvenience and noise.
Despite the denial, the party had announced that it would hold a “Jail Bharo Andolan” on Gandhi Jayanti, urging supporters to participate in the protest.
THOUSANDS ATTENDED CJP’S MUMBAI STIR
The gathering began around 4 pm, with thousands of supporters reaching the Shivaji Park area. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke led the demonstration, which saw participants carrying the national flag and raising slogans and displaying placards demanding Kumar’s removal.
The agitation was primarily focused on the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The CJP has raised concerns over the exercise and demanded greater transparency in the functioning of the Election Commission.
Among its demands is that the 2025 voter list be frozen to prevent what the party describes as further changes. The party has also opposed the 2023 legislation governing the appointment of Election Commissioners.
Addressing protesters, CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde said, “Gyanesh Kumar must resign and face criminal proceedings”. Dipke, meanwhile, warned that another major agitation, which he described as “Jantar Mantar 2.0”, would follow if Kumar did not resign.
He also challenged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to arrest the protesters and send them to jail.
The demonstration received the participation or support of several prominent personalities. Actors Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah and singer Vishal Dadlani were present at the gathering.
Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, also attended. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) extended support to the CJP-led agitation.
The protest also led to objections from some residents in the Shivaji Park neighbourhood. Residents cited noise pollution, disruption and inconvenience caused by the large gathering.
Some said they did not oppose the right to protest but maintained that demonstrations should comply with rules and should not interfere with the daily lives of people living and working nearby.
The issue also drew a sarcastic response from lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar on X. Referring to residents’ objections, Akhtar questioned whether similar concerns would be raised with equal intensity whenever political parties held large public meetings at Shivaji Park.
With the FIR now registered, the Mumbai Police is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the unauthorised gathering, examine the role of the organisers and work to identify the 400–500 unidentified participants named in the case.
Further action will depend on the findings of the investigation and the evidence collected by the police.
– Ends
With PTI inputs
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
