Shivaji Park Protest: Complaint Against Abhijeet Dipke, Three Others

A complaint has been filed at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park police station against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke and three others over the protest held at Shivaji Park on October 2, alleging that the gathering violated restrictions imposed by the Bombay High Court.

The complaint was lodged by advocate and local resident Siddhi Deolekar against Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ratna Singh.

The complainant alleged that the organisers attempted to mobilise a large crowd despite the Mumbai Police denying permission for the demonstration.

The protest was organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Complaint Cites Bombay High Court Judgment

Deolekar referred to the Bombay High Court’s January 4, 2013, judgment in Public Interest Litigation (PIL) 116/2009 and a subsequent Maharashtra government order.

According to the complaint, these directions impose restrictions on public gatherings and protests at Shivaji Park.

The complainant alleged that proceeding with the demonstration despite the denial of permission amounted to defiance of the court’s directions.

She also argued that describing the gathering as a peaceful protest did not remove the obligation to comply with judicial orders and government restrictions.

Advocate Calls Protest an Alleged Contempt of Court

In her complaint, Deolekar described the demonstration as an alleged insult to the Bombay High Court and questioned the organisers’ decision to proceed despite the restrictions.

She maintained that constitutional rights must be exercised within the framework of the law.

The complaint further warned that allowing such conduct could encourage others to disregard court-backed restrictions by describing unauthorised gatherings as peaceful activities.

However, the allegations in the complaint do not by themselves establish that the named individuals have been found guilty of contempt of court.

Police Had Denied Permission for October 2 Demonstration

Mumbai Police had earlier refused permission for CJP’s proposed demonstration at Shivaji Park.

The organisation had planned the protest on Gandhi Jayanti as part of its campaign demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

Despite the denial, CJP activists and supporters gathered at the venue on October 2.

The demonstration drew public attention, with several prominent personalities reportedly joining the gathering.

Police maintained security arrangements around Shivaji Park and nearby areas.

Protest Demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation

The demonstration was part of CJP’s campaign against the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR exercise.

The organisation has alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions and demanded greater transparency in the functioning of the poll panel.

Dipke has also announced plans for further protests in different cities.

The Election Commission has maintained that electoral roll revision follows the applicable legal framework and has announced measures to facilitate enrolment of eligible voters who may have been left out.

Complaint Adds Legal Dimension to Political Protest

The complaint against Dipke and the three others has added a legal dimension to the controversy surrounding the Shivaji Park demonstration.

While the organisers have framed their action as a protest concerning electoral transparency, the complainant has questioned whether the gathering complied with existing judicial restrictions.

The matter now places the focus on the police complaint, the conditions governing public demonstrations at Shivaji Park and the legal responsibilities of protest organisers.

No final judicial finding of contempt has been established through the complaint alone.