Four days after a team of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested gaurakshak Vaibhav Raut from Nalasopara following recovery of bombs and explosives from his residence, the Hindu Jan Jagruti Samiti organised a Jan Akrosh Rally in support of him on Friday. More than 3,000 people took part in the rally, which included politicians and gaurakshaks. The protesters walked a 2-km stretch from Raut's residence to the Nalasopara bus depot holding banners and shouting 'Jai Shree Ram'.

Speaking to mid-day, Diptesh Patil, Raut's childhood friend and also an active member of the Jan Jagruti Samiti, said, "Raut is innocent. He has been framed in a false case. The beef mafia had conspired his arrest. If Raut is a terrorist, then we who support him are also terrorists."