PUNE: In a crackdown on illegal street vending and roadside encroachment, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) faced resistance in Hadapsar on Monday evening, leading to a police case against three individuals for obstructing public servants on duty.
The incident occurred around 7:00 PM on October 5 near Gajanan Maharaj Temple in Tukai Darshan, Kale Borate Nagar, located under PMC’s Hadapsar-Manjri Ward Office (Prabhag No. 16).
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged at the Phursungi Police Station, PMC Assistant Anti-Encroachment Inspector Prashant Pralhad Kolekar (38), along with colleague Vinod Dube, security personnel, and support staff, was conducting a routine anti-encroachment drive. The squad spotted roadside vendors selling vegetables from small tempos and stalls, choking traffic and occupying pedestrian spaces.
Despite multiple warnings broadcast over public address megaphones asking the vendors to clear their illegal setups, the vendors refused to vacate. When the civic squad proceeded to take enforcement action as per standing court and administrative directives, three vendors—identified as Vidya Pandurang Ware, Asha Yogesh Kekan, and Munna Kalshetti—stood directly in front of the municipal enforcement vehicle, physically blocking the team and disrupting their official duties.
Acting on Kolekar’s complaint, Phursungi Police have registered an FIR against the trio under Sections 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) and 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway by Sub-Inspector Santosh More.