NASHIK: The Pawarwadi police in Malegaon have booked former Congress MLA Asif Shaikh Rasheed and five of his close associates under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Bombay Police Act for organising a rally in the textile town on Friday evening without permission. Police said the required Covid-19 protocols were also not followed at the crowded rally. Rasheed said he would go before the court and accept the outcome.
A former Congress MLA from Malegaon Central, Rasheed had created ripples in the political circle last month by resigning from the Congress during a press conference. Rasheed then conducted a series of meetings with citizens and decided to organise a public rally on Friday. The rally saw a gathering of approximately 2,000 people in the Raunakabad area, where Rasheed hinted at joining the NCP.
In view of the violation of the orders issued by the district collector for prevention of Covid-19 and other orders under the Bombay Police Act,1951, the Pawarwadi police registered a suo motu case against the former MLA and five associates and booked them.
Speaking to TOI Rasheed said: “We had sought permission, assuring that we would be providing 3,000 masks and all Covid norms would be followed. The permission was rejected on the very day of the rally. It became impossible to cancel the rally. The police have done their job. We too would go before the court and accept the outcome.”