Mumbai News: FIR Against NCP MLAs Rohit Pawar, Jitendra Awhad For Creating Ruckus Inside Azad Maidan Police Station

Mumbai: An FIR has been registered against Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) MLAs Rohit Pawar and Jitendra Awhad, along with party worker Shirke and 50 to 60 unidentified supporters, for allegedly disrupting official work, threatening a police officer, and violating prohibitory orders inside the Azad Maidan Police Station.

The complaint was lodged by PSI Bhagwat Marotirao Gopne (41), who has been posted at the Azad Maidan Police Station since April 2022. According to his report, the incident occurred around 2:05 AM on July 18, when Rohit Pawar, Jitendra Awhad, and their supporters entered the police station and confronted him regarding the arrest of NCP supporter Nitin Deshmukh.

Gopne stated that when he asked Rohit Pawar about the purpose of the visit, Pawar allegedly responded aggressively, saying, “Lower your voice. Don’t act smart. If you don’t know how to speak, don’t speak. Leave from here.” Pawar also allegedly used threatening gestures and humiliating language. Meanwhile, a party worker named Shirke reportedly said, “You are just an ordinary PSI,” adding to the insult.

Despite attempts by Senior Inspector Satish Gaikwad of the Cuffe Parade Police Station, who was present during routine night patrol, to calm the situation, the group continued shouting slogans such as “Sarkar humse darti hai, police ko aage karti hai. Modi Sarkar Hai Hai, Fadnavis Sarkar Hai Hai” inside the police station premises. The slogan-shouting created chaos within the duty officer’s cabin.

MLA Awhad reportedly refused to sit on the chair offered to him and instead sat on the floor with other party members, further escalating the disruption. According to the FIR, the incident caused public disorder, disrespected the police force, and violated prohibitory orders issued by the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai.

Sections invoked include BNS Sections 189(2) (threatening a public servant), 352 (assault or use of criminal force), 353(1)(b) (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of duty), and Sections 37(1)/135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. Further investigation is underway.

news