Navi Mumbai News: 5 Transgender Individuals Detained For Obstructing Anti-Encroachment Drive

Navi Mumbai: Rabale Police on Tuesday detained five transgender individuals for allegedly obstructing government officials, misbehaving with police personnel, and attempting to halt an anti-encroachment drive carried out by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).

The detained individuals — Archana Santosh Pathak (26), Tia Naik (20), Akshata Guru (23), Akanksha Patil (24), and Priya Tripathi (32) — were taken into custody after they created a public disturbance and engaged in a scuffle with civic officials and police during a demolition operation on an illegally occupied open plot near Rabale Police Station and later left after giving a notice.

According to officials, the trans persons had encroached on the land and begun constructing a temple. When a team from the NMMC Ghansoli ward office, led by divisional officer Uttam Kharat, arrived at the site on Tuesday evening to remove the unauthorized structure, the accused resisted the action. They reportedly blocked the road, used obscene gestures, and attempted to physically prevent the demolition.

Despite warnings, the group continued to interfere with the operation, prompting police to use minimal force to detain five of them. Even at the police station, the accused allegedly abused police personnel — including female officers — and caused further disruption. Some officers sustained minor injuries in the scuffle.

Rabale Police have registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 132, 126(2), 121(1), 189(2), 189(3), 191(2), 190, 352, and 3(5), as well as Sections 110, 112, and 117 of the Mumbai Police Act.

"All five were later released after being served notices. Preliminary investigation has also revealed that some of the accused have previous criminal records. Following the incident, NMMC officials successfully demolished the encroachment and fenced off the area to prevent further illegal occupation," said a police officer.