PIL seeks registration of FIR against BJP MLA

Mumbai: A petition has been filed against the state government for not registering FIR against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ram Kadam for making defamatory statements against girls during a Dahi Handi  event in the city. The president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ladies wing and social worker, Rupali Chakankar alleged that due to Kadam’s statement, there is fear among women that anyone could kidnap them.

Chakankar stated in her petition, that on September 4 when she was watching the news on television at home, she noticed that MLA Kadam made a defamatory statement, saying, “If the girl declines to come with you (boys). You can call me and I will help you to kidnap that girl.” She also stated that his statement was also published in various newspapers the next day. The petition stated that after the said statement, a wave of anger spread throughout the country and protests were also lodged in various part of the country.

The petition also stated that due to this statement, there was panic created amongst girls who were under fear that any male may kidnap them against their wish and with the help of MLA Kadam. It would be an encroachment on the freedom of women.

On September 5, the petitioner went to the Sinhgad police station of Pune to register an FIR against Kadam but the police refused to take the FIR. The petitioner alleged that MLA Kadam because Kadam belongs to the ruling party in state, the police refused to take any action against him.