Pune City Police detained 88 protesters near Shaniwar Wada on October 10 after they gathered for a rally against the Special Intensive Revision process and the Election Commission of India, despite permission for the proposed march having been denied. The gathering caused traffic disruption on the road near the historic landmark, according to information shared by Deputy Commissioner of Police PR Patil.
Several organisations, including Citizens for Justice and Peace, had sought permission to hold a rally from Shaniwar Wada to the Pune Collector’s Office. Pune Police refused permission, citing concerns related to law and order and the maintenance of public peace.
Despite the denial, some protesters assembled near Shaniwar Wada on Saturday afternoon. Police detained 88 people and took them to Lashkar Police Station. The action brought a planned public demonstration into the city’s policing and traffic-management system, with the gathering taking place on a road near one of Pune’s prominent heritage and visitor locations.
DCP Patil said that some of the detained youths’ parents had arrived at the police station. The process of handing over those youths to their parents was underway, while further action against the remaining protesters was being taken in accordance with the law.
The proposed rally was intended to oppose the SIR process and the Election Commission. The report does not provide details of the organisers’ specific demands, the number of people who had initially planned to participate, or the sections of law being applied to those who remained in detention.
The incident highlights the operational consequences of holding a gathering after permission has been denied, particularly when the assembly affects a public road. Police action, the movement of detainees to Lashkar Police Station and the involvement of parents formed the immediate administrative response. Further action against the remaining protesters will depend on the process being followed by Pune City Police.
