The woman who confronted Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan over traffic congestion caused by a BJP rally in Mumbai has become the subject of a police complaint, though officials clarified on Friday that no FIR has been registered against her.
The complaint was filed on Wednesday by Zain Sadavarte, daughter of lawyer Gunaratna Sadavarte.
Mumbai Police clarified that although there was a complaint against the woman, no FIR was lodged in the case.
“No FIR has been registered against the lady. We request you and everyone to check the facts from the official channel before posting on social media and refrain from spreading misleading information,” he said.
The incident took place on Tuesday in Mumbai’s Worli area during a BJP rally organized to target the opposition parties over the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill aimed at accelerating 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Read also | ‘Anger could have been expressed in a different way’: BJP’s Girish Mahajan after woman confronted him over traffic chaos
What happened?
During the event, an agitated woman confronted Mahajan while he was speaking to reporters, objecting to the road closures and inconvenience to commuters. “Get out of here. You’re causing a traffic jam,” she said, wondering why the demonstration had not been held in an open space nearby.
In her complaint to Worli police, Sadavart alleged that the woman created noise, used abusive language, obstructed the march and caused public disturbance.
“Insulting hard-working police officials, public representatives, the Constitution and the constitutional machinery will not be allowed in this country,” she told reporters.
Sadavart urged the police to file a case under the provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections 221 (obstructing public servants in the performance of their duty), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty), 352 (intentional insult), 195 (assaulting or obstructing a public servant) and 353 (statements causing public hurt), the police said.
Read also | Mumbai woman slams BJP MLA over traffic chaos caused by ‘Nari Shakti’ rally: ‘Get out of here’
Police statement about the incident
“It has been clarified that no FIR has been registered against the woman who criticized the traffic jam and shouted at the agitators during the demonstration on April 21 near Jambori Maidan in Worli,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Krishnakant Upadhyay said.
Earlier, Mahajan said the woman’s anger was justified “to some extent”, although he maintained that her language was inappropriate and ruled out legal action against her.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde regretted the inconvenience caused to commuters due to the march.
However, the police have registered a case against the organizers of the rally for allegedly violating the rules.
