A team from Maharashtra Police on Saturday collected details from the Press Club of India about booking details for a seminar held on April 20, 2018 ostensibly to demand the release of physically challenged Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba.

The handwritten application signed by a Sub Inspector of Police refers to a case registered at the Vishramgarh Police Station in Pune. Unconfirmed reports say it mentioned charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including Section 505(B), pertaining to intending cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against public tranquility, Section 152(B) pertaining to obstructing public servant when suppressing riot, and Section 117, abetting commission of offence by the public or by more than 10 persons.

The police team left PCI after collecting the booking slip.

According to PCI sources, the club requires an existing member to recommend before a booking is confirmed and it is not unusual for members to do so.

This particular booking, they inform, was done by a journalist working for National Herald.

While neither the application made by the SI or the Press Club of India has named the member, WhatsApp messages circulating late on Saturday, June 30 evening identified the member as a journalist working for National Herald, Vishwadeepak.