Mumbai Police on Saturday, 4 October 2025, registered a case against 400 to 500 supporters of the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) for holding an unauthorised gathering, raising slogans, and making public announcements at Shivaji Park in Dadar West, Mumbai. The protesters assembled without prior permission, triggering a law and order situation that led to formal charges under multiple statutes.

What the Police Said

According to Mumbai Police, the gathering took place between 4 pm and 7 pm near Gate No. 6 of the Shivaji Park grounds, directly in front of the Meenatai Thackeray Memorial, within the jurisdiction of the Shivaji Park police station. Named in the case are CJP members Ajinkya Shinde, Pranay Ahire, Ashutosh Ranka, Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, Afreen Nawaz, Soumya Korde, Ankit Bhardwaj, Vijay Malangi, and Yogesh Ingale, along with several unidentified persons.

Police stated that protesters occupied a public road, raised slogans, and reportedly installed loudspeakers without the required permission. A case has been registered under Sections 189(2) and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Sections 37(1), 37(3) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.

The 'Jail Bharo' Protest and Its Backdrop

The Saturday gathering was part of the CJP's 'Jail Bharo' protest, launched the previous day, demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid reported differences within the Election Commission of India. Organisers described the demonstration as 'Season 2' of their ongoing movement.

Despite Mumbai Police formally denying permission and deploying heavy security with barricades across parts of Dadar, thousands of citizens and supporters reportedly gathered at the venue. Slogans targeting the Central government and the Election Commission were raised during the demonstration.

Public Figures in Attendance

The protest drew support from prominent personalities across art and culture. Actors Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah, and musician Vishal Dadlani attended the event and spoke about the importance of protecting voting rights and democratic institutions. Actor Prakash Raj extended his support through a recorded visual message, urging citizens to safeguard democratic values.

What CJP's Founder Said

Addressing the gathering, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Dipke formally launched the 'Jail Bharo' call, asserting that peaceful assembly in defence of voting rights was a fundamental constitutional right.

He also directly challenged the Maharashtra Chief Minister over police warnings against unlawful assembly. 'Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, you spoke about putting us in jail for just three days. Had you said three months, the whole of Mumbai would have been brought to a complete standstill,' Dipke said.

What Happens Next

With a formal case now on record, the named CJP members could face summons from the Shivaji Park police station. The broader 'Jail Bharo' movement shows no signs of abating, and the CJP's framing of the protest as a constitutional exercise is likely to generate continued political debate around the Election Commission's functioning and the limits of public assembly in Mumbai.