Three women booked for offering namaz inside Shaniwar wada in Pune after video goes viral

A case has been registered against three unidentified women after a video showing them offering namaz on the premises of Pune's historic Shaniwar wada went viral on social media, sparking protests by BJPBJPBJP MP Medha Kulkarni and members of other organisations.

According to the Pune City Police, the FIR has been filed under provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Rules, 1959, for allegedly violating restrictions applicable to protected monuments.

The incident reportedly took place around 1.45 p.m. on Saturday (October 18, 2025), following which an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officer lodged a formal complaint to Pune City Police. The video led to protest demonstrations on Sunday (October 19, 2025) by BJP MP Medha Kulkarni and other members of a city-based right-wing outfit. They also performed purification rituals at spot where namaz was offered, police have increase security deployment around Shaniwar wada.