Mumbai Court Denies Bail to BJP Councillor Akash Purohit in 2020 Protest Case

In a significant legal development, Mumbai's court has upheld a non-bailable warrant against BJP councillor Akash Purohit, resulting in his arrest. The case stems from a 2020 protest related to electricity supply, where Purohit and others faced serious charges. Despite arguments regarding delays caused by traffic, the court refused to cancel the warrant, citing previous instances of non-compliance. Purohit, the son of a prominent BJP leader, may seek bail from the Bombay High Court soon. This case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding public demonstrations and political accountability in Maharashtra.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 6, 2026, 10:29 IST

Court Ruling on Non-Bailable Warrant

A Mumbai court has rejected the plea to cancel a non-bailable warrant against Akash Purohit, a councillor from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), related to a protest that occurred in 2020 concerning electricity supply. Following this decision, Purohit was taken into custody. The court declined to withdraw the warrant, which was issued due to his absence during a scheduled hearing, and subsequently placed him in judicial custody.

Background of the Case

Akash Purohit is the son of the late Raj Purohit, a senior BJP leader and former minister in Maharashtra. The case pertains to a demonstration in 2020 regarding electricity supply, where Purohit, along with 20 others, including Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, was accused of 'wrongfully detaining' the then General Manager of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) and assaulting police officers.

Hearing Delays and Arrest

The testimony of the investigating officer was scheduled for Wednesday, and the presence of the accused was deemed essential for identification purposes. However, the hearing was postponed due to the absence of Akash Purohit and several other defendants. They later appeared in court to request the cancellation of the non-bailable warrant. While similar pleas from other defendants were accepted, Purohit's request was denied, leading to his arrest.

Legal Arguments and Future Steps

The defense attorney argued that heavy traffic and a large crowd outside the court caused delays in reaching the venue. The court dismissed the plea, noting that Purohit had previously faced non-bailable warrants and had even paid a fine of ₹2,000 to have them revoked. Sources indicate that Akash Purohit may approach the Bombay High Court for bail on Thursday.