Mankhurd police apprehended two young activists engaged in a protest against the Israeli government, with allegations surfacing that one of them was subjected to police violence while in custody.
However, the police contest the claims, asserting that the protesters were the aggressors in the incident. The arrested individuals have been identified as Ruchit Lad, a 28-year-old architect from Mulund, and Supreeth Ravish, a 26-year-old teacher residing in Mankhurd. Both are affiliated with the Revolutionary Workers Party of India (RWPI).
The clash arose when the RWPI planned to stage a protest in the Matunga-Dadar area related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. When their protest was disallowed, Supreeth and Ruchit chose to display placards in the Lallubhai compound area of Mankhurd, voicing their dissent against the Israeli government. Other youths soon joined their demonstration.
Mahadev Koli, the senior inspector of Mankhurd police station, explained the situation, stating that when they were alerted about the protest, officers were dispatched to the scene. The activists were informed that they lacked the necessary permission for the demonstration and were requested to accompany the police to the station. However, they refused and allegedly confronted a police officer, an incident purportedly captured on video by bystanders.
In response to this confrontation, the two youths were arrested under sections 353, 332, and various rioting sections of the IPC. Subsequently, Ruchit claimed that he was subjected to physical assault while in police custody.
Advocate Shahbuddin Shaikh, representing the accused, informed that the magistrate recorded Ruchit’s statement and ordered a medical examination report, which will be available on Monday. Although the request for police custody was denied, both activists were remanded to judicial custody.
