Mahavikas Aghadi’s Pune Lok Sabha Candidate Ravindra Dhangekar Faces Charges in Protest Case

Pune, 14th May 2024: A case has been filed against 35 to 40 individuals, including Mahavikas Aghadi’s Pune Lok Sabha candidate and sitting MLA of Kasba Peth Ravindra Dhangekar, for their alleged involvement in a sit-in protest at Sahakar Nagar Police Station. The protest purportedly stemmed from accusations of BJP’s distribution of money. Ravindra Dhangekar, Nitin Kadam, Sachin Dede, Akshay Mane, Saqib Abaji, Santosh Pandit, and Anil Satpute are implicated.

Police officer Abhijit Balgude complained about this matter at Sahakar Nagar Police Station. Dhangekar and the activists have been charged under Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 145 (joining or continuing in unlawful assembly, knowing it has been commanded to disperse), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of an offence committed in prosecution of common object), and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC, Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act of 1951, and Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act of 1951.

In response to the Lok Sabha elections, a curfew was enforced in Pune. On Sunday (12th May) night, Mahavikas Aghadi workers, including Dhangekar, initiated a sitting protest in front of Sahakar Nagar Police Station, alleging that Bharatiya Janata Party workers were distributing money. Hundreds of activists gathered at the police station premises during this time. Tensions rose in the area due to Dhangekar’s agitation. A case was filed against 35 to 30 activists, including Dhangekar, for violating the curfew order. Sahakar Nagar Police are currently investigating the matter.

Nitin Kadam, NCP Urban Cell President (Sharad Pawar), stated, “We went to Sahakar Nagar Police Station to report the distribution of money. At that time, former BJP corporators and two to three hundred workers were present. The police released the individuals who distributed the money without taking action against them but registered a case against us.”