Mumbai police detain 400 in anti-CEC protest: Actor Imran Khan, Gandhi’s great-grandson among them

MUMBAI: Actor Imran Khan was among around 400 people detained by Mumbai Police during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at August Kranti Maidan on Saturday. The police action came as protesters gathered in support of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) agitation in Delhi, which has called for Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. Police barricaded August Kranti Maidan and detained protesters in the Grant Road area. Some of those detained were taken to Gamdevi Police Station.

Among those detained earlier in the day was Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and president of the organisation Hum Bharat Ke Log. He was detained in Bandra while heading to the protest and taken to D N Nagar police station.

Activist Feeroz Mithiborwala was also detained at his residence and taken to MIDC police station. The planned gathering in Mumbai was scheduled for 3.30 pm. Police said permission had not been granted for the protest and cited restrictions on demonstrations at August Kranti Maidan.

The detentions came amid efforts by police to prevent supporters from joining the CJP’s demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The party has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including issues concerning Form 6, which is used to register new voters.