Dahi Handi: Thane cops to crack whip on organisers, committee members

The Thane police department is all set to lash their whip against organisers of the Dahi Handi event and the committee members of the Dahi Handi pathaks for a set of violations ruled by the Supreme Court. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leaders could be sent behind bars on charges of contempt of court and culpable homicide.

The Thane city president for MNS, Avinash Jadhav and vice president, Abhijit Panse along with govinda pathaks involved in violating the SC order, were booked under sections 308 for culpable homicide, 336 for endangering life or personal safety of others, 188 for disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant, 34 for common intent under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

16 other mandals were also booked for violating the guidelines.The organiser of Shiv Tej Mitra Mandal Dahi Handi event at Ulhasnagar, and Radheyshyam Nagar Govinda Pathak too were booked by Vithalwadi police after Sujjal Dhadapkar (12) fell from a human pyramid and was critically injured.
"We will soon make arrests in the case as the offences are cognizable, and will produce them before the Thane court," said Sukhada Narkar, PRO, Thane police department.
"Keeping in mind the SC norms, the offences have been filed while the in-charge of police stations will make the arrests keeping in mind the sensitivity of the case, and to maintain law and order in the city," added Narkar.

"The charges are being made against the govinda pathak committee members and the event organisers, which would soon lead to their arrests," said Narkar.

We are not afraid to be lodged in jail: MNS

Calling it an act to keep traditions alive and not going against the SC order, Abhijit Panse, vice president for MNS, said, "We are not afraid to go to jail as we did not intend to violate SC norms, instead, aimed to reach the masses who participate in the Dahi Handi event in true spirit."

"We request the police department to take action against us and not the govinda pathaks as they are not to be blamed," said Panse.