Actor Lekha Washington said she and partner Imran Khan got grabbed and bruised by police during a Saturday protest in Mumbai. They went to August Kranti Maidan to check on detained friends. Lekha wrote, “The Mumbai Police has been a beacon of balance in my personal experience,” after their release.
Actor Lekha Washington, partner of actor Imran Khan, shared a detailed account of their detention by the Mumbai Police alongside Aamir Khan’s niece, actor Zayn Marie, during a protest in Mumbai on Saturday. In a social media post, Lekha explained that they had gone to August Kranti Maidan to enquire about friends who had been detained, alleging that the situation escalated when Imran began speaking to the media.
Recounting the events in an Instagram post, Lekha wrote, “On Saturday, around 5 pm, Zayn Marie, Nuzhat (Imran's mother), my partner Imran, myself, and others walked towards August Kranti Maidan to ask about friends of ours who had been detained.”
Describing the scene at the venue, she said there was no gathering underway, while police barricades had been set up around the area and a sizeable media contingent was present. According to Lekha, reporters surrounded Imran, who briefly responded to their questions.
“He responded to the questions from the media, saying we have no demands, we are not part of an organisation, we are just individuals,” she wrote.
She claimed that the interaction was disrupted before Imran could finish speaking. “Before he could even finish his sentence, with the weight of the media on one side, loud and incessant whistle-blowing disrupted everything,” she added.
“A stream of uniformed persons grabbed both Zayn and me, bruising us. They forced us all into the vehicle and then drove us around for a couple of hours. After that, they did not allow us to take public transport,” Lekha wrote.
Reflecting on the incident, she acknowledged the privilege she and her companions hold, saying that others face far worse circumstances. She also expressed appreciation for the Mumbai Police, describing the force as a “beacon of balance” based on her personal experience.
“It is important to note that we are individuals in a position of privilege and that far worse is being done to others. The Mumbai Police has been a beacon of balance in my personal experience, and I appreciate them deeply. I believe in equality and respect for all, and at some point we must collectively find our voices to speak the truth. Thank you,” she concluded.
Videos and photographs of Imran, Lekha and Zayn being escorted into a police van surfaced on Saturday. The three later confirmed on social media that they had been released. Lekha also shared a reel that night confirming they were safe, followed by an Instagram Story showing her embracing Imran and Zayn after they returned home.
The trio's detention took place during demonstrations organised at August Kranti Maidan. Protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Demonstrations over the revision exercise have also taken place in other parts of the country, including Delhi, with protesters calling for accountability over the irregularities.
Earlier, Zayn Marie had also shared a reel on Instagram and gave a glimpse of the bruises she received during the protest. She showed marks on her arm, fingers, and legs, sharing the aftermath of the police action during the protest.
Meanwhile, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday after they jumped over a gate to enter Jantar Mantar, a site that has now been denotified as a designated protest venue by the authorities. CJP worker Ajinkya Shinde was also detained along with other supporters. According to the details available, the group entered Jantar Mantar from the side of the Janata Dal (United) office premises near the protest site. Police subsequently detained all those who had entered the area.