Mumbai Police Book Shivaji Park Protest Organizers For Unlawful Assembly

The Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against the organizers of a protest held at Shivaji Park in Dadar on Sunday, July 19. The police stated that the demonstration was classified as an "unlawful assembly" because no official permission had been granted to hold the event.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Shivaji Park ground in central Mumbai on Sunday to protest against the transfer of activist Sonam Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital from the Jantar Mantar protest site. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray also joined the demonstration and called for a larger agitation against the Central government.

A senior police officer confirmed the legal action, stating that while the protest was carried out at Shivaji Park, no permission had been granted for it. The officer added that since the organizers went ahead with the event anyway, an FIR was registered against them.

Following this incident, the police denied permission for a similar protest that was planned to take place at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar on Monday, July 20. Authorities warned the organizers of the Chaityabhoomi protest against holding the demonstration on the grounds, stating that they would also face an FIR if they proceeded.

The police action at Shivaji Park follows other legal cases registered in the city over protests supporting Sonam Wangchuk. On Saturday, the Mumbai Police registered two FIRs in south Mumbai. One was filed at the Marine Drive police station against NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction workers for demonstrating near Mantralaya, and another against left-wing organizations protesting near the Press Club.

The individuals booked in those Saturday cases face charges of disobedience to an order issued by a public servant, wrongful restraint, and unlawful assembly. All accused were issued notices and allowed to go.