Archive · 24 Dec 2025
BJP MLAs acquitted in Navi Mumbai airport naming protest case
Two BJP leaders, Prashant Thakur and Mahesh Baldi, were in trouble for protesting to name the new Navi Mumbai airport after a farmer leader, D B Patil.
They were accused of breaking COVID-19 rules during their protests.
But the court said there wasn't enough proof that they did anything wrong or spread the disease.
So, the court let them go.
The airport is supposed to open soon, but its name hasn't been announced yet.
Two BJP MLAs were acquitted in a case related to protests demanding the Navi Mumbai airport be named after D B Patil.
The protests occurred in June and August 2021 during COVID-19 lockdowns, leading to charges under IPC sections 269 and 270.
The court found no evidence that the MLAs' actions spread disease or were done with malicious intent.
The court noted that police witnesses could not confirm the MLAs' participation or violation of COVID-19 norms.
The MLAs were acquitted as the prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Who
- BJP MLAs Prashant Thakur and Mahesh Baldi
- What
- Protest demanding Navi Mumbai airport be named after D B Patil
- When
- Protests in June and August 2021, acquittal in December 2023
- Where
- Raigad, Maharashtra
- Why
- Demanding the airport be named after farmer leader D B Patil
- Airport Location
- Navi Mumbai
- Protest Date
- June 9, 2021 and August 9, 2021
- Charges Filed Under
- Sections 269 and 270 of the IPC
- Court Decision Date
- December 6
- MLAs Involved
- Prashant Thakur and Mahesh Baldi
- Protest Demand
- Naming airport after D B Patil
- Court Ruling
- Acquittal due to lack of evidence
