Chandrapur Ka Raja mandal calls police cases false, seeks impartial probe

Chandrapur: The Jatpura Yuvak Ganesh Mandal, which installs 'Chandrapur Ka Raja', has called false the cases the police have registered against its office-bearers. President Deepak Bele, secretary Mahesh Bele and treasurer Balkrishna Vairagade submitted a memorandum demanding that the cases be withdrawn immediately. The mandal has also said the role of the Ramnagar police inspector should be examined impartially at a senior level. The dispute arose after the immersion procession on Anant Chaturdashi, September 25.

The mandal says the procession had dragged on, and that the decision to set out in the afternoon was taken after informing the authorities in advance. The police version has not become clear so far. Deepak Bele, Mahesh Bele and Balkrishna Vairagade have written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Chandrapur District Collector, seeking an impartial inquiry into the whole matter by senior officials.

The mandal was founded in 1974 and has a history of 52 years. It is known for its social, religious and health-related work. The biggest feature of 'Chandrapur Ka Raja' is its grand 29-foot clay idol.

This year, on Anant Chaturdashi, September 25, the immersion procession began with fanfare at 11 am. After a grand welcome and traditional fireworks in the Jatpura Gate area, the procession moved ahead. The mandal directly alleges that on Kasturba Road the police did not let the processions move on in time and that traffic and police deployment planning fell short, which made the procession drag on for very long.

According to the mandal, when office-bearers went early in the morning to see the immersion pond on the Erai river, 30 to 35 large idols were already waiting to be immersed. The municipal corporation told them that cleaning the pond would take about two hours. St Michael's, Chanda Public, Maharishi, Poddar and Indira Gandhi Garden schools lie along the immersion route, as does the main market, so from 7 am to 2 pm there are heavy crowds of children, parents and the general public. To avoid a jam and to cooperate with the administration, the mandal decided after talks with the administration to set out in the afternoon.

The mandal claims the police department was informed of this decision in advance at 12.30 pm and 3 pm. The idol then left for the immersion site at 3 pm, peacefully and without any serious traffic obstruction. On arrival, rituals and prayers were performed. Removing the silver ornaments and articles from the idol safely took an hour. The immersion was then completed that night, with ritual and great discipline.

The office-bearers allege that the Ramnagar police inspector deliberately registered false cases without hearing the mandal, which had cooperated fully with the administration and been in contact since early morning, and without verifying the facts. The memorandum says the police action has hurt the sentiments of devotees and needlessly defamed the mandal.

The mandal has demanded a thorough and impartial inquiry into the flaws in Kasturba Road traffic planning, the crowd situation at the immersion pond, the phone records of the advance information given to the police department, and the role of the Ramnagar police inspector. It has also asked for an effective system of coordination among the municipal corporation, the police and Ganesh mandals so that such chaos does not recur.

Responding to the mandal's allegations, Superintendent of Police Ayush Nopani said the rules were the same for everyone. The 'Chandrapur Ka Raja' procession went out, but because of it the way of the other Ganesh mandals was blocked. According to him, the mandal had been given permission for September 25, but it took out the procession the next day without permission. Nopani said the case was registered for violation of rules.