Gopalakrishna Subbaiya Pillai, a 75‑year‑old resident of Thane’s Dosti West, died of a heart attack during a CJP protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday at about 5 pm, Shivaji Park police officer confirmed. Pillai had joined the rally at 4:30 pm, seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral‑roll irregularities.
The CJP assembly, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party, began at 4 pm in bright sunshine, drawing thousands despite lacking police permission. The crowd marched around the iconic ground, chanting demands to oust the CEC. A CJP spokesperson said the protest is part of a broader campaign to challenge electoral processes.
At 5 pm, Pillai complained of chest pain; friends and police rushed him to a nearby hospital, but doctors could not save him. He had been a lifelong resident of the area, often seen walking his dog in the evenings.
Police have opened a formal inquiry into the circumstances of Pillai’s death, while the CJP plans to convene a meeting next week to strategise further action.