Eighty-five concerned citizens, activists, artists, academics and human rights defenders have sent a representation to the Director General of Police, Maharashtra, demanding the immediate quashing of an FIR against Mumbai-based stand-up comedian Masoom Rajwani and 12 other persons detained during a candlelight vigil at Chaityabhoomi, Dadar, on 25 October 2026.
According to a media note issued along with the representation, it was sent to the DGP at dgpms.mumbai@mahapolice.gov.in. The signatories have strongly condemned the alleged police manhandling and forcible detention of peaceful protesters and called for an independent, time-bound inquiry, accountability for the police personnel involved, preservation of evidence, and protection against intimidation and retaliation.
The representation, dated 28 October 2026, states that the vigil was held in solidarity with Sahil Wakode, a 20-year-old Dalit student of IIT Bombay whose death “has raised serious concerns about institutional caste discrimination.” In the representation, the signatories say they are writing “to express our grave concern and outrage over the alleged police excesses, physical manhandling and forcible detention of peaceful protesters” at Chaityabhoomi on 25 October 2026.
Allegations of Manhandling
The representation says Masoom Rajwani reached Chaityabhoomi at approximately 6:10 PM and spent about an hour and a half observing the gathering, the media and the police. He was “neither carrying a candle nor raising slogans.” At around 7:30 PM, when students were discussing where to light their candles, the police allegedly began pushing a young student and proceeded to detain women who had gathered peacefully.
According to the representation, Masoom verbally objected to the detention of a woman student and attempted to reason with the police, questioning the legality of their actions. A police officer then allegedly pushed and manhandled him. The officer, along with several men in civilian clothes, allegedly seized him by his limbs, dragged him across the road and forced him into a police bus “without explaining the grounds for his detention or informing him of his destination.”
The detained protesters were reportedly transported in a dark bus without being informed where they were being taken. Although the incident occurred at Dadar, they were taken to Tardeo Police Station, a considerable distance away. They reportedly spent approximately 30 minutes in the bus and another 30 minutes at the police station before being released. According to Masoom, their questions about the officers involved and the alleged mistreatment were not met with satisfactory answers.
The representation also flags “equally disturbing” allegations concerning the treatment of women protesters. Accounts from those present indicate that women were forcibly detained and that the clothes of women protesters were allegedly torn during the police action. These allegations, the signatories say, warrant an impartial investigation and appropriate action against those found responsible.
FIR under Maharashtra Police Act
An FIR has been registered at Shivaji Park Police Station against 13 persons, including Masoom Rajwani, in connection with the events of 25 October 2026. The documents made available to the signatories indicate that provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act, including Sections 37(1), 37(3) and 135, have been invoked. A subsequent police notice also requires appearance in connection with the investigation.
“We strongly condemn this false FIR, which we believe has been used to target and intimidate peaceful protesters exercising their democratic and constitutional rights,” the representation says. It adds that people who gathered to light candles and express solidarity with Sahil Wakode should not be made to face criminal proceedings for peacefully assembling, expressing dissent or questioning alleged police excesses.
The representation states: “Instead of ensuring accountability for the alleged manhandling and forcible detention of protesters, the police action has resulted in criminal proceedings against 13 people, including a well-known artist and comedian. This raises grave concerns about the use of police powers to discourage peaceful protest and silence those who question official conduct.”
Demands
The signatories have demanded the immediate quashing of the FIR against Masoom Rajwani and the other 12 persons named in it, and urged the DGP to take urgent steps within the powers of the police administration, including facilitating appropriate proceedings before the competent court, to secure its quashing without delay.
They have also demanded immediate action against the police personnel involved; an independent and time-bound inquiry into the entire incident, including the role of uniformed officers and persons in civilian clothes who allegedly participated in the detentions; and an investigation into the allegations concerning women protesters.
Further, they have sought immediate preservation of all relevant CCTV footage from Chaityabhoomi, surrounding roads and Tardeo and Shivaji Park Police Stations, as well as recordings from police vehicles, duty rosters, detention records, station diaries, wireless communications and other official records. They have also asked for preservation and examination of media and eyewitness recordings, stating that “no relevant evidence should be destroyed, altered or withheld.”
The representation demands a written explanation of the legal grounds for transporting protesters from Dadar to Tardeo Police Station, the identity of the officers who authorised the action, the role of persons in civilian clothes and compliance with applicable safeguards governing detention, arrest and the use of force. It also seeks protection against intimidation and retaliation for Masoom Rajwani, the other persons named in the FIR, women protesters, students and witnesses, and a written action-taken report within seven days of receipt of the representation.
Constitutional Rights
The representation invokes Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution, relating to freedom of speech and expression and the right to assemble peacefully, subject to constitutionally permissible restrictions. It says the circumstances are particularly concerning because young people had gathered to express solidarity with a Dalit student and demand justice in a matter that has brought institutional caste discrimination and accountability into public discussion.
“Masoom Rajwani’s public profile makes his case widely visible, but the issue extends far beyond one individual. Students, women, artists and ordinary citizens must be able to participate in peaceful demonstrations without fear of assault, arbitrary detention or unjustified criminal proceedings,” the representation says.
The signatories include Mallika Sarabhai, Gauhar Raza, Roop Rekha Verma (former Vice-Chancellor, Lucknow University), Teesta Setalvad, Ram Puniyani, Cedric Prakash, Henri Tiphagne, Dr Anjali Monteiro (retired professor), Frazer Mascarenhas, Lara Jesani (advocate), Rajiv Dhyani, Leila Passah and Shabnam Hashmi, along with 72 other concerned citizens from across the country.
The media note said the representation “asserts that peaceful dissent is a constitutional right, not a crime, and calls upon the Maharashtra Police leadership to act urgently to ensure justice and accountability.” The representation concludes: “Peaceful dissent is a constitutional right, not a crime. Those who gather peacefully to demand justice must not be punished for exercising their democratic rights. The police must be held accountable when there are credible allegations of abuse of authority.”
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