The Bombay High Court has quashed an FIR and chargesheet filed against a man for participating in a protest against poor road conditions in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. The Court observed that criminal cases should not be used to suppress peaceful public protests, which form an important part of a democracy. Justice M.W. Chandwani, sitting at the Nagpur Bench, delivered the order on October 29, 2026. The case arose after villagers in Nandgaon protested against a damaged road following an accident. They were demanding action against the road contractor and officials of the Public Works Department. The High Court held that citizens have a constitutional right to assemble peacefully under Article 19(1)(b), subject to reasonable restrictions.