Mumbai: Case filed against CJP supporters over unauthorised Shivaji Park gathering

CJP founder Abhijit Dipke addresses supporters during the protest at Shivaji Park. File pic

Mumbai Police have registered a case against supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) for allegedly holding an unauthorised gathering, raising slogans and making announcements at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, police said on Saturday.

According to police, around 400 to 500 unidentified supporters and protesters gathered without permission at Gate No. 6 of the Shivaji Park grounds in Dadar West, opposite the Meenatai Thackeray Memorial.

Police identified CJP members Ajinkya Shinde, Pranay Ahire, Ashutosh Ranka, Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, Afreen Nawaz, Soumya Korde, Ankit Bhardwaj, Vijay Malangi and Yogesh Ingale among those present.

The gathering reportedly took place between 4 pm and 7 pm and fell under the jurisdiction of the Shivaji Park police station.

Police cite law and order concerns

Police said the protesters gathered on a public road and raised slogans, resulting in a law and order situation. Loudspeakers were also allegedly installed without the required permission.

Following the incident, Shivaji Park police registered a case under Sections 189(2) and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 37(1), 37(3) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.

The case comes a day after the CJP held a ‘Jail Bharo' protest at Shivaji Park, demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Protest held despite police denial

The CJP demonstration was held despite Mumbai Police denying formal permission and deploying heavy security in the area. Barricades were erected across parts of Dadar as thousands of citizens and supporters reportedly gathered at the venue.

Slogans targeting the Central government and the Election Commission were raised during the demonstration, which organisers described as ‘Season 2' of their movement.

The protest also received support from several public figures, intellectuals and Bollywood personalities who attended and spoke about voting rights and democratic institutions. Actors Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah and musician Vishal Dadlani were among those present.

Actor Prakash Raj extended his support through a recorded visual message and urged citizens to safeguard democratic values.

Dipke launches ‘Jail Bharo' call

CJP founder Abhijit Dipke criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, CEC Gyanesh Kumar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis while addressing the gathering.

Dipke launched the ‘Jail Bharo' call and said peaceful assembly in defence of voting rights was a fundamental constitutional right.

"Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, you spoke about putting us in jail for just three days. Had you said three months, the whole of Mumbai would have been brought to a complete standstill," Dipke said.

(With inputs from IANS)