185 booked for violence during agitation in Pune

MUMBAI: The Pune police has arrested 185 persons for their alleged role in the violence that took place on Thursday during the course of the bandh called for by outfits seeking Maratha reservation.

Seventy-eight of those arrested were sent to magisterial custody for charges related to damaging the security cabin of the collector’s office while 45 were remanded to police custody for creating a law and order problem at Chandni Chowk.

M.M. Mujawar, police inspector, Bund Garden police station, said, “81 accused, including one unknown, had damaged public property at the district collector’s office. Seventy-eight people, including five women, have been sent to MCR for 14 days while two are juvenile have been sent to an observation home. One is yet to be arrested.”

“They also attacked police present there. We arrested 80 under Indian Penal Code section 143 for unlawful assembly, section 147 for rioting, section 149 for member of unlawful assembly with common intention, section 341 for wrongful restraint, section 353 for use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging duty, and section 427 for damage of property,” he said.

Mr Mujawar added, “We have also invoked the Bombay Police Act section 135 and relevant sections of the Public Property Damage Act.”

Santosh Sonawane, police sub-inspector, Deccan police station, said, “21 accused who were arrested on Thursday for creating a law and order situation during the MKM bandh in the Deccan area have been released for a month on a personal bond of Rs 15,000 each. Their bail plea will be heard after a month.”

Mr Sonawane said, “They were arrested under CrPC 143 for creating public nuisance, 145 for likely cause for breach of peace, Indian Penal Code 341 for wrongful detention of person, and Bombay Police Act 135.”