Pune Dahi Handi: Nisha Mumbaikar, Shubhangi Thorat Among Eight Dancers Booked Over Alleged Obscene Dance
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Sahakarnagar, 9th September 2026: Pune Police have registered a case against eight women dancers, including performers Nisha Mumbaikar and Shubhangi Thorat, in connection with an alleged obscene dance performance during a Dahi Handi celebration in the city.
The action was taken by the Sahakarnagar police following allegations that obscene songs were played during the programme and the dancers performed to them. Police have also initiated action against organisers and office-bearers of the mandals that hosted the programmes.
The latest action comes after a separate case was registered against dancer Radha Patil and organisers of a Dahi Handi event in Bibwewadi over an alleged unauthorised Lavani performance.
Eight Dancers Booked
According to police, the alleged incident took place during Dahi Handi celebrations in the Dhankawadi area. The performers allegedly danced to obscene songs during the programme.
Police are investigating whether the organisers had obtained the mandatory permissions and whether the prescribed rules and conditions for conducting such programmes during Dahi Handi celebrations were followed.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Milind Mohite said that action has been initiated against the dancers as well as the organisers and mandal office-bearers in connection with the alleged violation.
Mandal Office-Bearers Also Face Action
The Sahakarnagar police had earlier registered two separate cases against office-bearers of mandals in Dhankawadi, along with Lavani dancers and their co-performers, for allegedly organising performances without the required permissions.
The Ashtavinayak Mitra Mandal had organised a Dahi Handi celebration at Teen Hatti Chowk in Dhankawadi on September 5, where a Lavani performance by Nisha Mumbaikar was held.
Police had made prior permission mandatory for programmes conducted as part of Dahi Handi celebrations. Artists were also required to submit the prescribed stage-performance certification.
Police said that no application for the required permission had been submitted by the organisers or performers.
A case was subsequently registered against mandal president Pawan Suryakant Dongre, Sagar Sonawane, Nisha Mumbaikar and her co-performers.
In a separate case, the Sahakarnagar police booked office-bearers and performers associated with the Risky Boys Group (Shivraj Mitra Mandal) in Dhankawadi. The accused include mandal president Bandu Madiwal, vice-president Mayur Bhavekar and dancer Shubhangi alias Shubhanjali Thorat, along with four other dancers.
Police are investigating both cases, including whether the performances violated the permission conditions and other regulations applicable to public programmes during Dahi Handi celebrations.
