At least 18 leaders from RJD, Congress and left-wing parties, including Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, have been booked for demonstrating in a no-go area without permission.
Tejashwi Yadav and allies in Congress and the CPI held a rally in front of Gandhi Maidan’s gate number four during the day in protest against the new agricultural laws.
An FIR was filed against 18 identified and 500 unidentified persons in this connection with the Gandhi Maidan police station under various sections of the IPC and the Epidemic Law, police sources said.
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The FIR has been searched for allegedly violating government orders and putting people’s lives at risk by holding a demonstration near the historic Gandhi Maidan in the heart of the city, a police officer said on condition of anonymity.
He said that these people have violated Covid-19 norms according to which each individual must maintain social distancing in addition to wearing masks and taking other preventive measures against the virus.
Furthermore, Tejashwi among those named in the FIR included RJD leaders Shyam Rajak, Brishen Patel, Alok Mehta and Mrityunjay Tiwary, the police officer said.
Some congressional and CPI leaders have also been appointed to the FIR, he added.
Earlier in the day, a senior official in the Patna district administration had said that dharna inside Gandhi Maidan is not allowed as it is a “forbidden area”.
If any individual, political party or organization has to hold a sit-in, they can do so in Gardanibagh, which has been declared a designated place for the holding of dharna, the official added.
Furthermore, the administration must ensure that Covid-19 rules are strictly adhered to, he said, adding that gatherings or any type of procession, dharna are not allowed in any public place.
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