- विज्ञापन -
Patna: Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, was apprehended by Patna Police on Monday for holding a sit-in protest in an unauthorised area of Gandhi Maidan. According to officials, Kishor’s arrest followed a medical examination, and he is set to be presented in court.
Patna SSP Awakash Kumar stated that Kishor and several supporters were protesting in front of the Gandhi statue in a restricted section of Gandhi Maidan, demanding the fulfillment of five key points. The authorities had previously notified Kishor and the other protestors to relocate to the designated protest area at Gardnibagh but received no compliance.
An FIR was filed at the Gandhi Maidan police station for the illegal protest, as the group continued to occupy the area despite multiple requests to leave. “Today, on January 6, he has been arrested along with some supporters this morning. They are completely healthy, and legal proceedings are underway to present them in court,” SSP Kumar added.
Kishor has been actively supporting candidates from the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) who are protesting for a re-examination of the 70th preliminary exam. His choice of Gandhi Maidan as a protest site has sparked debate over legal compliance.
In his defense, Kishor argued that Gandhi Maidan is a public space that does not require prior permission for peaceful demonstrations, referencing the extensive farmer protests in Delhi and questioning their legality.
However, Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh emphasized that Kishor’s protest violated regulations. He pointed out that a 2015 ruling by the Patna High Court designates Gardnibagh as the approved location for protests, contingent on prior permission from the district administration. Gandhi Maidan, primarily intended for recreational use, is not sanctioned for protests or sit-ins, and even political rallies there require administrative approval.
