FIRs filed by Mumbai police against over 50 persons for CJP solidarity protest

Mumbai: Mumbai Police have registered three cases against more than 50 protesters in connection with a solidarity demonstration held at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar following the Delhi Police action against the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) march to Parliament. The march in the national capital was dispersed using tear gas and a baton charge, according to reports.

The cases were registered at the Mahim and Shivaji Park police stations against the organisers and over 50 protesters under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Police Act, scroll.in reported.

Police said the protest was held without prior permission despite prohibitory orders being in force at the time. They also noted that restrictions banning public gatherings of five or more persons without permission had been imposed across Mumbai from Thursday until August 6.

According to the police, some students who had earlier been detained were later served notices directing them to join the investigation.

The Delhi protest, held on Monday to coincide with the opening of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, was organised to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged mismanagement of competitive examinations.

Although police prevented protest leaders from marching towards Parliament, several demonstrators moved closer to the Parliament complex and gathered at different locations in central Delhi. Security personnel later used tear gas and batons to disperse the protesters.

Following the police action in Delhi, solidarity demonstrations were held in several parts of the country, including at Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai.

Mumbai Police detained several people, including students, from Chaityabhoomi, Dadar railway station, Shivaji Park and Mahim in an effort to prevent large gatherings. Some participants alleged that peaceful protesters had been detained without justification.

Sameer Wagle, a member of the civil society initiative Mumbai for Peace, said he was detained while filming the protest and was taken to Mahim police station along with others, despite not participating in the demonstration.

Theatre artist Dhammrakshit Randive said he was briefly detained, later joined the protest for about an hour, and was detained again before being released. He alleged that while he was not assaulted, others were, and claimed that he and his friends had recorded videos showing police using force against protesters.

On Tuesday, heavy police deployment continued at several locations across Mumbai, including Azad Maidan, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters, following fresh calls for protests in support of the Delhi demonstration.