Complaint against Mumbai woman who berated minister over traffic jam due to protest

On Tuesday, an agitated woman confronted minister Mahajan, who was speaking to reporters, shouting at him for blocking roads and causing inconvenience to commuters.

In Short

• Incident occurred during BJP rally in Mumbai’s Worli area on Tuesday
• Woman confronted Girish Mahajan, protesting road blockage and inconvenience
• Complainant alleges abusive language, obstruction, public disturbance by woman

A complaint has been filed against a woman who berated Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan for a traffic jam caused by a BJP rally in Mumbai over the women's reservation bill, police said on Friday.

The complaint was submitted to the Worli police station on Wednesday by Zen Sadavarte, daughter of advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte, they said.

While a complaint has been filed against the woman, the Mumbai Police clarified that no FIR has been registered against her. "We request you and everyone to verify the facts from official channel before posting on social media and refrain from spreading misinformation," the police said, dismissing rumours of an FIR against the woman.

The incident occurred in the upscale Worli area on Tuesday during a rally organised by the BJP to target opposition parties over the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill to fast-track the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

An agitated woman confronted minister Mahajan, who was speaking to reporters, shouting at him for blocking roads and causing inconvenience to commuters. "Get out of here. You are causing a traffic jam," she said, asking why the rally could not be held at the nearby open ground.

In her complaint, Sadavarte said the woman created a ruckus, using abusive language, obstructing the rally and causing public disturbance.

"Insult to hard-working police officials, public representatives, Connstitution and constitutional mechanism won't be allowed in this country," she told reporters.

Sadavarte has urged the police to register a case against the woman under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections, including 221 (obstructing public servants on duty), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 352 (intentional insult), 195 (assaulting or obstructing public servant) and 353 (statements conducing to public mischief), they said.

Earlier, Mahajan had said that the woman's anger was justified to "some extent". He, however, had emphasised that her language was inappropriate, ruling out any legal action against her.

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, who belongs to the BJP, had expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to commuters due to the rally.

Police have registered a case against the rally organisers for alleged violation of norms.

- Ends