12 detained MNS workers released

MUMBAI: Twelve MNS workers detained in a preventive arrest by the Azad Maidan police on Wednesday and sent to Arthur Road jail on Thursday approached the sessions court, which released them on Friday. Akhil Chitre who is also the secretary of MNS film workers' union said that he welcomed the court order releasing the 12 activists. They all returned home, he said.
Their lawyer Rajendra Shirodkar said the police action of preventive detention was illegal as there was nothing to show that they would have caused breach of peace.
The group was detained from near Metro cinema in south Mumbai after they shouted slogans against the release of `Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. The MNS threatened to stall the release since one of its actors is Fawad Khan, a Pakistani national. They opposed the release of films with Pakistani actors following the Uri attack.
“The detainees through their lawyers approached the sessions court. We were asked to file our reply. The court after hearing has ordered their release,'' said a senior officer from the Azad Maidan police station.