Indian-origin businessman arrested by Leicestershire during Ganesh Chaturthi procession, sparks outrage
Dharmesh Lakhani, a popular businessman of Indian origin and the owner of Bobby's restaurant on Belgrave Road, was arrested by Leicestershire police. This incident unfolded during a Ganesh Chaturthi procession, leaving Lakhani in need of medical attention due to the manner in which he was handcuffed outside the Shivalaya Mandir — The Leicestershire Brahma Samaj on Monday night.
Lakhani is now planning to file a complaint against the Leicestershire police.
Leicestershire police reported that they encountered an «unplanned procession» taking place on the street. According to their statement, «There are legal requirements surrounding processions and therefore officers attempted to engage with the crowd to establish the details of an organizer.
This led to an incident where the man was arrested and is now subject to investigation.»
Contrary to the police's account, Lakhani told TOI, «It was not a procession. It was 10-12 people taking two murtis (idols) of our gods for the Ganesh celebration on Monday night.»
The main procession, involving the dissolvable murtis of the god Ganesh, is scheduled to take place on Sunday.
The Belgrave Business Association, responsible for organizing the event, has obtained the necessary permissions for this procession.
Lakhani explained that on Monday, the murtis were being transported in a «rekri» to the Shivalaya Mandir from Jeram, the Belgrave Road shop that had imported the idols from India. This transportation was in preparation for the daily puja and aarati starting on Tuesday.
