Nashik: Police registered a case against a Shiv Sena (UBT) youth leader and several associates after they forced their way into a civic official's office in Maharashtra's Nashik district and released two puppies from sacks onto his desk to protest against the stray dog population, officials confirmed.

An official from the Niphad police station told Press Trust of India that charges were filed against Vikram Randhave and his supporters for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of official duties. Authorities also lodged a case concerning animal cruelty due to the transportation of the puppies inside sacks.

According to police reports, Randhave, a district functionary for the party's youth wing, led a group of Yuva Sena (UBT) activists into the office of Dheeraj Bhamre, Chief Officer of the Niphad Nagar Panchayat.

A video recording of the encounter, which circulated widely on social media platforms, shows Randhave pulling the two puppies out of sacks and placing them onto the official's desk.

"We have been trying to highlight the stray dog menace to you for the last six months, but you ignored our pleas," Randhave can be heard telling Bhamre in the video. It remained unclear whether the party leadership endorsed the demonstration.

The chief officer informed the demonstrators that the municipal body had issued work tenders to manage the stray population. However, the explanation failed to satisfy Randhave, who threatened escalated actions.

"If you fail to act, we will bring more dogs to your office next time, along with children and women affected by the problem," Randhave warned.

Randhave also left a garland composed of currency notes on the official's desk to signal protest against the civic administration's perceived inaction.

The youth leader claimed that more than 400 stray dogs roam within the Nagar Panchayat limits, alleging that over 100 residents endure dog bites each month, presenting a hazard to children, elderly residents, and motorists during the ongoing Ganesh festival.

Police confirmed that no arrests have been made to date.

PTI