Seven Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers were arrested on Monday for allegedly vandalising a ladies’ bar in Panvel following party chief Raj Thackeray’s remarks criticizing the presence of illegal dance bars in Raigad district. All the accused were later released on bail after being produced in court.
Stones Thrown, Staff Threatened During Attack
The incident took place around 11:30 PM on Saturday at 'Night Riders Live Orchestra,'a bar located in Kon village along the old Mumbai-Pune highway. According to police, the MNS workers hurled stones at the establishment, damaged property, and allegedly abused the staff, threatening to kill them if the bar was not shut down.
FIR Registered Against 15–20 Unidentified Accused
Based on a complaint filed by the bar owner, Ramanna Shetty, Panvel Taluka Police registered a case against 15 to 20 unidentified MNS workers under charges of rioting, creating public fear, and unlawful assembly.
Following investigations, police arrested seven MNS members identified as city spokesperson Yogesh Chile, Rahul Chavan, Dinesh Chougule, Sameer Pawar, Kiran Gurav, Akshay Hake, and Sanjay Markute. They were produced in court and initially remanded to judicial custody, but were later granted bail.
Political Backdrop to the Incident
The vandalism is believed to have been triggered by Raj Thackeray’s speech earlier that day during the Shetkari Kamgar Paksha's foundation event in Panvel. In his address, Thackeray criticized the rise of unauthorized dance bars in Raigad historically associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and questioned how such activities were allowed in a district of such historical importance.
"Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the remaining individuals involved in the incident," said a police officer from Panvel.
