In response to the police action reported earlier in the day, the Mumbai unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said its protest on Sunday was peaceful and alleged that authorities imposed unnecessary restrictions to prevent it.
In a statement, the party said it had organised a demonstration at 16th Road in Khar West against the reported defection of Raghav Chadha and six other MPs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Leaders detained, police presence at multiple locations
According to AAP Mumbai, despite prior intimation, heavy police deployment was put in place at the protest site. The party alleged that its Mumbai Working President Ruben Mascarenhas was taken from his residence and detained at Khar Police Station.
It also claimed that several leaders were contacted by local police and advised not to assemble, while police personnel visited the party’s Chakala office.
Protest shifts to Bandra Station amid restrictions
The party said that after access to the main protest venue was restricted, its volunteers gathered at Bandra railway station to continue the demonstration.
AAP Mumbai added that a group of volunteers later reached Khar and staged a protest outside the residence of Chadha and actor Parineeti Chopra. Police subsequently intervened and detained several leaders, including Mascarenhas and Sumitra Shrivastava, the statement said.
AAP alleges suppression of democratic protest
The party described the police action as a suppression of a lawful and peaceful protest, raising concerns over what it termed selective enforcement of law and order.
AAP Mumbai maintained that the protest remained peaceful throughout the day, with participants adhering to discipline.
AAP leaders detained
Earlier, Mumbai witnessed tense moments on Sunday after police detained several leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of a planned protest outside the residence of Raghav Chadha in Khar.
Police personnel blocked roads leading to the area from both sides, restricting vehicular movement and preventing any gathering near the residence. The protest had reportedly been planned in response to Chadha’s recent exit from AAP and his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
