Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Mumbai Police Weigh Action Over Shivaji Park Protest
A protest took place at Shivaji Park in Mumbai without police permission.
The organisers said as many as 40,000 people came, but police estimated the crowd at about 5,000.
Protesters wanted the chief election official to resign because they alleged problems with a voter-list review.
Some local residents said the gathering caused traffic and other disruption.
Police will get legal advice before deciding whether to take action against the organisers.
A 75-year-old man became ill at the protest and was taken to a nearby hospital.
Police said he died while being treated after a heart attack.
Several actors, a filmmaker and a singer also attended the demonstration.
Mumbai Police may consider legal action against Cockroach Janta Party organisers after a protest at Shivaji Park was held without permission.
Police and intelligence estimates put attendance at about 5,000, while organisers claimed 35,000 to 40,000 people attended.
The protest called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
A 75-year-old attendee, Gopalakrishna Subbaiya Pillai, died in hospital after falling ill at the protest; police said he suffered a heart attack.
Local residents complained about inconvenience, traffic congestion and disruption near the park, schools and a hospital; police will seek legal advice and examine the complaint.
- Who
- Cockroach Janta Party organisers held the protest; attendees included Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Vishal Bhardwaj and Vishal Dadlani.
- What
- A protest without police permission called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged electoral-roll revision irregularities.
- When
- Friday; Gopalakrishna Subbaiya Pillai arrived around 4:30 p.m. and reported chest pain at about 5 p.m.
- Where
- Shivaji Park, Mumbai; Pillai was taken to Sushrusha Hospital.
- Why
- Protesters raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Organisers and protesters
Police and local residents
Protest attendance
Organisers and protesters
The CJP claimed 35,000 to 40,000 people attended.
Police and local residents
Police and intelligence estimates put the crowd at around 5,000.
Holding the demonstration
Organisers and protesters
Organisers held the protest to demand the election chief's resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
Police and local residents
Police said the event lacked permission; residents complained of inconvenience, traffic congestion and disruption around the park.
- Police crowd estimate
- About 4,500 to 5,000 people
- Organisers' crowd estimate
- 35,000 to 40,000 people
- Permission
- Police said the protest was held without permission
- Protest demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Deceased attendee
- Gopalakrishna Subbaiya Pillai, 75, a Thane resident
- Cause of death reported by police
- Heart attack while undergoing treatment
- Possible police action
- Police will seek legal advice and consider residents' complaint before deciding