Bhayandar: A case has been registered against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) office-bearers after they staged a ‘funeral protest’ at the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) headquarters, protesting the drowning death of a minor at a civic-run swimming pool. The Bhayandar police have booked 15 male and several female MNS members for allegedly obstructing government work and forcibly entering the premises without permission.

The protest was triggered by the tragic death of 11-year-old Granth Mutha due to drowning in the swimming pool in the Late Gopinath Munde Sports Complex in Bhayandar East on April 20. In the wake of the incident, Navghar police registered a case against the contractor, manager, and four instructors responsible for the pool. However, the delay in direct action against them prompted sharp criticism and public outrage.

Accusing the civic body and the contractor of gross negligence, MNS carried out the symbolic protest by bringing a bier to the MBMC headquarters. According to the complaint filed by Suraj Sawant of the Maharashtra Security Force (MSF), MNS activists forcibly pushed past security guards at Gate No. 1 and entered the premises with the bier, chanting slogans.

“They stormed the civic office without any official permission, tried to force their way into the commissioner’s chamber, and manhandled security personnel,” the complaint said.

A case has been filed under Sections 132, 189(2), 190, and 191(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Among those named in the FIR are MNS functionaries Sachin Phople, Robert D’Souza, Abhinandan Chavan, Surya Pawar, and Hemant Sawant.

Critics have raised serious concerns over the perceived bias in the police action. Despite public demands, there has been no significant punitive action against the contractor or municipal staff even four days after the child's death. Meanwhile, those who protested the inaction are now facing criminal charges.

"The civic administration is shielding the real culprits — the contractor and negligent staff — while penalising those who demanded accountability," Phople said.

MNS has also filed a complaint against MSF for allegedly misbehaving with female party members during the protest. "Some of our women office-bearers were subjected to inappropriate behaviour by the security staff. We also lodged a formal complaint at Bhayandar police station," he said.