Pune: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) women’s cell head Advocate Rupali Patil-Thombare has requested the Pune Police Commissioner not to register robbery or rioting charges against MNS party workers who created a ruckus at the multiplexes in the city over overcharging of food items. Patil claimed they are not criminals and they “only slapped” multiplex officials. Patil warned multiplex owners to lower food prices within eight days or the party “will conduct another agitation MNS style.”

At a press meet on Monday, Patil said, “MNS raised the issue of rates of overly charged food products sold at the multiplex. However, the police have registered offences against former corporator Kishor Shinde and others under sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) for rioting, assault and intent to provoke breach of peace of IPC.”

She said, “Lawyers, doctors and educated people are in our party. Every time, the police department booked us under criminal charges. They are not criminals, but are fighting for the common people’s rights. Over overcharging of food items, our party-bearers slapped multiplex officials. So we requested the police commissioner not to register cases for slapping as per the IPC. 

“They should not file false cases against us.” She warned multiplex owners that if they don’t lower food prices and not allow outside food within eight days, they will conduct agitation, “MNS style”. 

On Thursday, a mob of political hoodlums, including former corporator Kishor Shinde and party’s film wing vice president Ramesh Pardeshi assaulted an official of PVR Cinemas over the issue of overpricing of food items at PVR Icon Multiplex inside Pavilion Mall on Senapati Bapat Road.