Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Thane Man Dies During CJP Protest; Residents Seek Action
Gopalakrishna Subbaiya Pillai was a 75-year-old man from Thane.
He went to a Cockroach Janata Party protest at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
Around 5 p.m., he felt unwell and had chest pain.
A doctor at the protest helped him, and he was taken to a hospital.
He died while receiving treatment.
Police said doctors believed he had a heart attack.
Local residents and a citizens’ forum want action against the protest organisers and CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke.
Police filed a separate case about holding the protest without permission.
Reports disagree about whether the incident was on Thursday or Friday, and one says it was October 2.
Gopalakrishna Subbaiya Pillai, 75, of Thane, suffered chest pain while attending a Cockroach Janata Party protest at Shivaji Park.
He arrived around 4:30 p.m. and became unwell near Gate No. 6 around 5 p.m.; a doctor treated him before he was taken to Sushrusha Hospital, where he died.
Police said doctors attributed his death to a heart attack and registered an accidental death report.
The Shivaji Park Citizens Forum and local residents sought action against CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, including a murder case, alleging organisers proceeded despite objections and lack of permission.
Police registered a separate case against protest organisers and 400–500 unidentified participants for allegedly holding the gathering despite denial of permission; reports differ on whether the incident was Thursday or Friday, while one identifies it as October 2.
- Who
- Gopalakrishna Subbaiya Pillai, 75, a Thane resident; Shivaji Park residents and the Shivaji Park Citizens Forum also sought action against CJP organisers.
- What
- Pillai died after suffering chest pain during a CJP protest; residents and a forum sought legal action against organiser Abhijeet Dipke.
- When
- He arrived around 4:30 p.m. and reported chest pain around 5 p.m. Reports say Thursday or Friday; one identifies the date as October 2.
- Where
- Shivaji Park, Mumbai; Pillai was taken to Sushrusha Hospital.
- Why
- The protest sought Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Residents sought action against organisers for proceeding despite objections and denial of permission.
Residents’ allegations and demands
Police actions and reported findings
Responsibility for Pillai’s death
Residents’ allegations and demands
Residents and the Shivaji Park Citizens Forum said organisers should be held accountable and sought a murder case against CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke.
Police actions and reported findings
Police said doctors attributed the death to a heart attack and registered an accidental death report; the reported FIR concerns the allegedly unauthorised protest.
Holding the protest
Residents’ allegations and demands
Residents said they had asked authorities not to allow the gathering and alleged that organisers went ahead despite permission not being granted.
Police actions and reported findings
Police registered a separate case against organisers and 400–500 unidentified participants for allegedly holding the demonstration despite denial of permission.
- Deceased
- Gopalakrishna Subbaiya Pillai, 75, of Dosti West County in Thane
- Medical emergency
- He reported uneasiness and chest pain around 5 p.m. near Gate No. 6
- Medical response
- A doctor at the venue provided preliminary treatment; Pillai was taken to Sushrusha Hospital and died during treatment
- Police account
- Police said doctors attributed his death to a heart attack; an accidental death report was registered
- Residents’ demand
- The Shivaji Park Citizens Forum and local residents sought action against CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, including a murder case
- Protest case
- Police registered a separate case against organisers and 400–500 unidentified participants over allegedly holding the gathering despite denial of permission
- Reported date
- Articles variously describe the event as Thursday or Friday; one gives the date as October 2
- Protest purpose
- The demonstration sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral-roll revision irregularities
Sources
75-Year-Old Dies Of Heart Attack During CJP Protest At Mumbai's Shivaji Park
Forum Seeks Murder Case Against Dipke Over Protester’s Death
75-year-old Thane man dies of heart attack after attending CJP protest at Shivaji Park