A formal complaint has been registered against a woman who confronted Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan over severe traffic congestion triggered by a BJP rally in Worli on April 21. The incident sparked controversy due to the public disruption it caused. Authorities confirmed that the complaint was officially filed at the Worli police station on April 23 by Zen Sadavarte, the daughter of advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte, bringing the matter under legal scrutiny, reported PTI.
The episode unfolded during a BJP rally organised in the upscale locality of Worli. The event was held to criticise opposition parties following the setback of a Constitution Amendment Bill concerning the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. During the gathering, the woman reportedly approached Girish Mahajan while he was interacting with journalists. She expressed strong displeasure over road blockades and traffic snarls caused by the rally, questioning why the political event could not have been conducted at a nearby open ground instead.
In her complaint, Zen Sadavarte alleged that the woman caused disruption at the venue, used offensive language, interfered with the rally proceedings, and created inconvenience for the general public. She urged the police to initiate action under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including provisions related to obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties, use of criminal force, assault, and acts leading to public nuisance. Officials stated that the complaint outlines several legal grounds under which action could be considered against the accused woman.
Also Read: Mumbai: Case Registered Against Organisers of BJP Rally in Worli Over Rule Violations
Addressing the media, Sadavarte described the woman’s conduct as an affront to elected representatives and the constitutional system, asserting that such actions should not go unchecked. Meanwhile, minister Girish Mahajan took a more balanced stance, acknowledging that the woman’s frustration over traffic disruption was understandable to some extent. However, he criticised the manner in which she expressed her grievances, particularly her choice of words, and clarified that he did not favour pursuing legal action against her over the incident.
At the same time, Ritu Tawde, who is also affiliated with the BJP, expressed regret over the inconvenience faced by commuters due to the rally. She acknowledged the disruption caused to daily life and assured that such concerns were being taken seriously. In a related development, police officials confirmed that a separate case has been registered against the rally organisers for allegedly violating prescribed norms, indicating that authorities are examining all aspects of the incident, including adherence to rules governing public gatherings.