9 AIMIM corporators among 15 booked for opposing anti-encroachment drive

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The City Chowk police on Sunday registered an offence against 15 people, including nine AIMIM corporators, for opposing the recent anti-encroachment drive in Shahganj area.The AIMIM corporators who faced criminal action also include Leader of Opposition in the local civic body Abdul Sameer Sajid with a sword of suspension hanging on them if found guilty.
Acting on the complaint of the deputy municipal commissioner of the anti-encroachment cell of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) Savita Sonawane, the City Chowk police have invoked multiple BNS sections, including obstructing public servant, criminal intimidation and defamation.While the anti-encroachment drive began on Feb 26, the AIMIM corporators allegedly opposed the action on the next day when they reached along with supporters to express solidarity with the local hawkers.In the complaint with the police, the civic official has accused AIMIM corporators and othersof manhandling, using abusive and obscene language and forcing civic staff to leave the place among other charges.The City Chowk police have registered the case under the sections 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 224 (threat of injury to a public servant), 351 (2) (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult), 353 (2) (publishing or circulating false information, rumors, or alarming news), 356 (1) (defamation) and 189(2) (unlawful assembly) of the BNS.In-charge of City Chowk police said an investigation will be carried out. "Multiple videos of the incident have gone viral on social media and it will be also examined as a part of investigation," the officer said.The Feb 26 drive in Shahganj area was carried out in the wake of a few vendors allegedly manhandling a man and his pregnant woman over a petty dispute. The AIMIM corporators the next day reached the busy market area to express support to the local hawkers when they allegedly confronted the civic authorities and staffers.In the backdrop of an alleged incident of manhandling, deputy mayor and Shiv Sena leader Rajendra Janjal had requested the civic administration and cops to take stern action.Leader of Opposition Sajid did not respond to calls and text messages seeking his comments on criminal action invoked by the CSMC.