Woman Accused of Trying to Spark Stampede

Mumbai police said on April 24 that no First Information Report has been filed against the woman who confronted Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan during a BJP rally that snarled traffic in Worli. (newindianexpress.com) The complaint was submitted at Worli police station by Zen Sadavarte, daughter of advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte, after the woman’s roadside confrontation went viral. (thehindubusinessline.com) (hindustantimes.com) Sadavarte asked police to register a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections including 221, 132, 352, 195 and 353, alleging obstruction of public servants, insult and public mischief. (thehindubusinessline.com) (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) The confrontation happened on April 21 during a BJP protest in south Mumbai over the women’s reservation bill, when the woman got out of her car after being stuck in traffic on her way to pick up her child from school. (newindianexpress.com) (timesnownews.com) In the video, she told Mahajan to clear the road and asked why the rally could not be held at a nearby open ground instead of a busy public street. (newindianexpress.com) (timesnownews.com) Mahajan said the woman’s anger was justified “to some extent,” but said her language was inappropriate; Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde also expressed regret for the inconvenience to commuters. (thehindubusinessline.com) (timesnownews.com) Opposition figures including Rohit Pawar, Varsha Gaikwad and activist Anjali Damania responded by demanding action against the rally organisers and questioning why the protest was held on a public road. (newindianexpress.com) Police separately registered a case against the organisers of the Worli rally for alleged violation of permission norms after the traffic chaos drew wider scrutiny. (rediff.com) (news18.com) For now, the legal action is limited to a complaint application against the woman, while police say the next step, if any, would follow a preliminary inquiry. (newindianexpress.com)