Journalism of Courage
3 held after Modi photo removed from Pune college during Amit Thackeray’s event
Police identified the three arrested MNS functionaries as Prashant Kanojia, Vikrant Bhilari and Harshad Godse
Amit, son of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, had visited Government Polytechnic College, Shivajinagar, as part of a student interaction and membership programme. (ANI Videograb)
Three persons were arrested by Pune City Police in connection with a case registered against Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena president Amit Thackeray and others over an incident at Government Polytechnic, on Monday, where a portrait of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was removed from a wall in the institute office.
Police identified the three arrested MNS functionaries as Prashant Kanojia, Vikrant Bhilari and Harshad Godse
The Chaturshringi police registered the FIR on Monday based on a complaint by Rajendra Kashiram Patil, principal of Government Polytechnic, Pune. The FIR names Amit Thackeray — son of MNS chief Raj Thackeray — as an accused and mentioned 20-25 unidentified office-bearers, students and workers who were allegedly accompanying him. According to the FIR, Thackeray and the group arrived at the college’s administrative office around 12.30 pm on Monday without prior permission. Patil alleged that Thackeray questioned the college authorities about cleanliness at the students’ hostel, mess and toilets and gave instructions in a loud voice.
The complainant alleged that one of the unidentified workers accompanying Thackeray was asked to remove a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi displayed on the wall on the left side of the office. When Patil objected, the worker allegedly “forcibly” removed the photograph. The FIR also alleged that the group remained inside the office without any reason and raised slogans, including “MNS Zindabad” and “Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena Vijay Aso”, causing a commotion.
“Three persons have been arrested and further probe is on,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Chilumula Rajnikanth. Patil alleged that he, other teachers and administrative officials present in the office were threatened. According to the FIR, they were told that if the instructions given by the group were not complied with within eight days, they would return to the office and launch an agitation.
The case has been registered under Section 120 of the Maharashtra Police Act and Sections 329(3) (criminal trespass), 189(1) (unlawful assembly), 46 (abetment), 221 (obstructing a public servant) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police Inspector Shital Jadhav has been assigned the investigation of the case.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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