Shivaji Park Resident Calls CJP Protest Illegal, Files Complaint Against Founders in Mumbai

A Shivaji Park resident has filed a complaint with the Mumbai Police against leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over their protest at the Mumbai park on Friday, after police had earlier denied permission for the gathering. Advocate Siddhi Deolekar, who said she has lived in the area for 10 years, alleged that the organisers proceeded with the protest despite the denial.

Deolekar said she was not opposed to the right to protest but questioned the decision to hold the demonstration at Shivaji Park despite restrictions on gatherings there. She referred to a Bombay High Court order and said there were designated locations where protests could be held. Her complaint concerns the conduct of the organisers and does not itself establish that any offence was committed.

Mumbai Police had denied permission for the October 2 protest before it took place. Police cited a Bombay High Court judgment and a subsequent Maharashtra government order concerning non-sporting activities at Shivaji Park, while also raising concerns about noise pollution, traffic congestion and possible disruption to access around nearby hospitals.

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The CJP had planned the protest as part of its campaign seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The group has alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision exercise. The Election Commission has rejected suggestions of a lack of consensus among its members and said decisions concerning the revision were taken unanimously.

Deolekar said she and other residents approached the police because they wanted assistance and security during the protest. She thanked Mumbai Police for the assurance provided to them and said she hoped appropriate action would be taken over the complaint. Her remarks were presented as her account of the situation and her request for action.

The complaint now places the focus on the organisers' conduct following the earlier denial of permission. Police had advised the CJP to seek an alternative venue and submit a fresh application for a protest elsewhere in Mumbai, where the competent authority could consider the request under applicable rules.

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