Mumbai: Mumbai police arrested Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her husband MLA Ravi Rana on Saturday evening from their house in suburban Khar amid high drama. Their arrests leads hours after their plan to cancelled to recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s private residence Matoshree.

Mumbai police filed FIR against MP Navneet Rana and her husband Ravi Rana under IPC section 153 (A) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), and section 135 of the Mumbai Police Act (violation of prohibitory orders of police).

Shiv Sena workers had gathered in large numbers outside the apartment of the Rana couple in Mumbai this morning, and shouted slogans after they announced their decision to recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside Matoshree. The Shiv Sena workers broke through the barricades and tried to enter the premises of the MP’s residence in Suburban Khar. Police brought the situation under control and stopped the Shiv Sena workers from going further.

Police have increased security outside Matoshree and placed barricades on the road leading to the Thackeray residence to avoid crowding. Police personnel were deployed outside the couple’s apartment as well after Shiv Sena workers staged protests and dared the couple to step out of their residence. On Friday, Mumbai police had served a notice to MP and MLA, asking them not to disturb the law and order situation in the city. Besides Matoshree, the police have also increased security at Varsha, the official residence of Uddhav Thackeray in south Mumbai.

They alleged that Maharashtra Chief Minister ordered Shiv Sena workers to heckle us. They’re breaking the barricades. I’m reiterating that I’ll go outside and will chant Hanuman Chalisa at Matoshree, said Navneet Rana. Ravi Rana alleged that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was misusing his power. Police aren’t allowing us to step outside our house. Chief Minister has given them the instruction to do so and Shiv Sena workers are trying to attack our residence.

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil claimed that the couple’s attempt to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Matoshree was part of a conspiracy to disturb the law and order situation in the state. Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her husband Ravi Rana want to tarnish the State Government’s image and spoil the atmosphere. What’s the need to chant Hanuman Chalisa outside Matoshree? They can do it at their home, said Patil.