The Pune Police have issued legal notices to 80 individuals—including 51 students and 29 coaching class and study-room operators—for participating in or supporting ongoing Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) protests. The demonstration was organized by thousands of job aspirants demanding increased transparency in MPSC examinations and the immediate resignation of the commission’s chairman.
Despite the denial of official police permissions, demonstrations continued across three key locations in Pune. Authorities warned that further proceedings, including the registration of formal criminal cases, could follow if demonstrators continue to gather without permission.
A senior police officer confirmed that organizers were explicitly instructed not to hold the demonstrations after their application was rejected. However, as the crowds remained, police began documenting the situation at protest sites and collecting evidence through extensive video recordings. Officials stated that these recordings, combined with the notices and ignored warnings, will form the foundation for future legal action.
In a related security concern, police launched an inquiry after an unauthorized drone was spotted flying over the protest site near SM Joshi Bridge. Investigators are currently working to identify the operator and determine the motive behind the flight. Police emphasized that strict action will be taken if the drone was operated without prior statutory permission.
Meanwhile, security has been significantly tightened across all three protest venues to maintain law and order and prevent escalation.
These demonstrations reflect a broader pattern of student-led agitations regarding recruitment and examination irregularities across the country. Similar widespread protests in July previously forced the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In another instance, job aspirants and student unions in Jharkhand recently suspended a month-long sit-in agitation after the state government agreed to almost all of their primary demands.
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