Ganpati Visarjan 2025: In an incident involving the harassment of two intern reporters from Punekar News during the Ganesh immersion procession near Budhwar Chowk on Saturday evening, Pune Police have registered a case against two unidentified members of a dhol-tasha group. The FIR was formally filed on Sunday night at around 11:30 pm.
The Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ) has addressed a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, emphasizing this incident and other challenges journalists encountered while covering Ganeshotsav in the city.
What is the issue?
As per the FIR lodged at Faraskhana Police Station, the event took place between 7:30 pm and 7:35 pm on September 6 in the vicinity of Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple. The 20-year-old complainant, along with a colleague (both journalism and mass communication students), was there to report on the Visarjan procession when a member of the 'Trital Dhol Tasha Pathak' reportedly ran the iron wheel of a trolley over her foot.
When the reporter inquired about the incident, the accused allegedly shoved the reporter, made improper contact, and pushed her aside. The complainant expressed feeling embarrassed by the event. When her coworker intervened, the accused also pushed him, and another member of the group insulted and threatened them.
After her complaint, the police have filed a case against two unknown persons under Sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty), 75(1) (sexual harassment), 352 (intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The investigation is being led by Police Sub-Inspector Punam Patil. The identities of the suspects have not been confirmed yet. Authorities are working to verify their information and locate them using the available video recordings, an official stated.
On Sunday, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar was informed about the incident. The issue was also deliberated with Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma and DCP (Zone 1) Krushikesh Rawale. More