Overview

• An FIR under section 298 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita was registered at Shivaji Park police station against unidentified persons after red paint was found on the half-bust around 6:30 am.
• Investigators are scanning CCTV that showed no unusual activity until about 6:10 am, with footage later indicating a suspect and narrowing the incident to roughly 6:10–6:30 am.
• Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray visited the site, while Shiv Sena (UBT) workers cleaned the bust and police increased deployments around the park.
• Leaders across political camps condemned the act, and Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam promised strict action against those responsible.
• Shiv Sena workers announced or held demonstrations in districts such as Buldhana as authorities urged restraint to prevent a law-and-order situation.