Police seek closure of Shiv Sena Shakha

Mumbai: The Mahim police have asked the additional chief metropolitan magistrate court in Bandra to seal a Shiv Sena Shakha at Mahim due to tension in the locality following allegations that former Sena leader Suresh Gambhir, who defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) earlier this year, is attempting to convert it into a BJP office. Gambhir had contended that the property was in his name and hence he could use it as he likes.  

The application was filed by the cops so as to maintain law and order in the area till the issue of possession is resolved. Meanwhile, a city civil court has directed ‘possession not be disturbed,’ which Sainiks are reading as victory for them even before the final order.

Speaking about the issue, senior police inspector Milind Idekar, Mahim police station, who had filed the application in the magistrate court said, the atmosphere in Mahim was tense after Sheetal, Gambhir’s daughter entered the office. “Some locals having affiliation to the Shiv Sena forced her out. The entire area became tense thereafter. Hence, to avoid any untoward incident, we asked the magistrate to seal the premise under section 146 of the Code of Criminal Procedure,” he said.

Even as the magistrate’s order to seal the premise is awaited, former Sena corporator Prakash Ahire moved the city civil court seeking restraining orders against Gambhir. “The office has been a Shiv Sena shakha for the past 25-30 years and was purchased with the contribution of supporters. As Gambhir was the corporator at the time, it was registered in his name. But he is now claiming ownership of the office after he defecting to the BJP,” said Ahire.

He added that a few days ago, Sheetal had broken the office lock and forcefully entered the premise to celebrate her birthday. As soon as Sainiks got wind of it, they reached there and threw out the cake and made her leave the office.

According to Idekar, while the magistrate is expected to pass an order on the application for sealing the premise on Thursday, the city civil court has ordered that ‘possession should not be disturbed,’ implying that it will remain in the Shiv Sena’s possession till the issue of possession is decided.