Section 144 at Lohagad fort after protests against intended Urs

Located near Lonavala hill station in Maval taluka of Pune district, Lohagad Fort – a key hill fort of the Maratha empire – is a popular destination among tourists and trekkers.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday night, the Pune Rural Police said, “Lohagad Fort is a monument of historical importance and has been under care and protection of the ASI since 1909. An Urs of Haji Hazrat Baba Umarshahwali was intended to take place on the premises of the fort, which has been opposed by groups of followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Hindutva organisations. To ensure that no law and order situation arises at the fort, the ASI has sought police deployment on the premises.”

Officials said even though the Urs or observance was intended to take place on January 6, no permission has been granted by the police and other authorities for it. “To avoid any law and order situation on Lohagad Fort premises, prohibitory orders under Criminal Procedure Code section 144 have been issued by the Sub Divisional Officer of the Maval Division. Pune Rural Police has deployed adequate police force. Superintendent of Police Ankit Goyal has said appropriate legal action will be taken against those found in violation of the orders,” the press statement said.

Officials said that the police force, which has been deployed at the fort from Wednesday midnight, will remain in force till the evening of January 8.

Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) section 144 empowers public officials to issue orders in urgent cases to pre-empt any law and order issue.