4 hrs ago
Organisers Allege Mumbai Police Pressured Venues to Cancel Screening
Organisers planned a private showing of a documentary about Umar Khalid in Mumbai.
They said 40 to 60 people were expected to attend.
The organisers first considered one venue and later confirmed another.
They allege that people who appeared to be police officers visited the second venue and questioned its manager.
They say the manager was pressured to cancel the event.
The organisers also said police later visited the first venue, even though the screening was no longer planned there.
Umar Khalid has been held in jail custody for six years in connection with a case about the 2020 Delhi riots.
Mumbai Police had not responded to the report when it was published.
Organisers said a private Mumbai screening of the documentary Prisoner No. 626710 is Present was cancelled.
They alleged plainclothes police questioned and intimidated managers at two venues they had approached.
The second venue’s manager allegedly received a call from a superintendent of police before cancelling the event.
Organiser Shruti Khanna said the screening was for 40 to 60 registered attendees, not a public demonstration.
Umar Khalid has been in judicial custody for six years in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, whose trial has not begun.
- Who
- Two Mumbai residents, including organiser Shruti Khanna, organised the screening; Mumbai Police personnel were alleged to have pressured venue managers.
- What
- A private screening of Prisoner No. 626710 is Present was cancelled after organisers alleged police intimidation at two venues.
- Where
- Mumbai, at two venues considered by the organisers.
- When
- The screening was scheduled for Saturday; the second venue was allegedly visited on Friday at around 7 p.m.
- Why
- According to the organisers, venue managers cancelled after being questioned and pressured by purported police personnel.
Organisers’ allegations
Police position unavailable
Why the screening was cancelled
Organisers’ allegations
Organisers alleged that plainclothes police questioned and intimidated venue managers, leading the second venue to cancel the event.
Police position unavailable
Mumbai Police had not provided a response to the report at publication time, so its account was unavailable.
Nature of the event
Organisers’ allegations
Organiser Shruti Khanna said it was a private, paid screening for registered participants, not a public demonstration or unlawful gathering.
Police position unavailable
No police explanation was reported regarding the event’s classification or why officers allegedly contacted the venues.
Key facts
- Documentary
- Prisoner No. 626710 is Present
- Expected attendance
- 40 to 60 people
- Event type
- Private screening at a paid venue with advance registration
- Organiser quoted
- Shruti Khanna
- Umar Khalid custody
- Six years in judicial custody
- Related case
- The conspiracy case connected to the 2020 Delhi riots
- Trial status
- The trial has not yet begun
Quotes
Shruti Khanna
One of the Mumbai organisers of the planned documentary screening
“This was a private screening at a paid venue, with participants being registered in advance. It was not a public demonstration or an unlawful gathering.”
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Sources
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