The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee has accused the police of illegal detentions, privacy breaches, and aggressive behavior towards young students in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. They have demanded the immediate release of detained students, withdrawal of allegedly false FIRs, suspension of involved officers, and an end to intimidation tactics. The Congress delegation, led by MPCC President Harshvardhan Sapkal, expressed concerns over the detention of hundreds of youth aged 16 to 30 who were peacefully protesting educational issues.
The memorandum highlighted that over 500 to 700 students were reportedly picked up by the police from various locations in Mumbai, including metro stations and their homes. Despite no curfew in place on July 22, 2026, police allegedly filed FIRs against students based on suspicion alone. The Congress party accused officers of conducting unauthorized phone searches and detaining students without legal authority, violating their rights.
According to the Congress, around 200 to 300 students are still detained in different police stations across Mumbai. The party emphasized the importance of peaceful protest as a constitutional right and criticized the police for their actions. MPCC President Sapkal warned against treating youth like criminals and threatened a statewide agitation if immediate action is not taken to address the situation.
