Pune police lodge FIR against 15 over MPSC protest in Navi Peth

On October 1, Pune police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 15 individuals, including representatives of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) student movement, for a protest that took place on Shastri Road in Navi Peth. The protest, which lasted from 4 p.m. until midnight, was held without permission and resulted in traffic disruptions and public unrest.

The FIR, filed on October 9 by Police Constable Sameer Jayram Pawar, alleges that the group gathered at Indulal Complex and blocked the road, causing significant disruption.

The protest, originally scheduled for October 2 at Lokmanya Tilak Chowk, was initially permitted on September 26 under certain conditions. However, the police revoked the permission after representatives met with the Chief Minister on September 30 and submitted a letter suspending the protest. Despite this, the group gathered at Indulal Complex on October 1 without prior notice or authorization.

The police cited the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and various sections of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, as grounds for the FIR. These included sections 189(2), 189(3), 189(5), 126(2), 223, 270, and 292, as well as sections 37(1)(c), 135, 112, and 117. The group was accused of violating prohibitory orders issued by the police from September 29 to October 12, including one under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which covered areas like Shastri Road.

MPSC student leaders, including NCP (Sharad Pawar) city president Vishal Tambe, have criticized the government for filing the cases against the students. They have demanded the withdrawal of the cases and vowed to continue their struggle until MPSC Chairman is forced to resign. Student representatives have vowed to maintain their resistance through the ballot box, despite the police's attempts to intimidate them.