Chaos in Mainpuri: Landlady’s Street Protest Over Shop Dispute Leads to High Drama and Police Action

A dramatic scene played out on Station Road in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, as an agitated shop owner locked in a rent dispute clashed with police right in the middle of the street. Desperate to reclaim her property, the woman tried to break the lock using a hammer, doused herself with petrol threatening self-immolation, and accused both tenants and local authorities of conspiring to illegally seize her shop.

The Incident: Protest, Threats, and Public Outrage

Surrounded by police, the woman was seen shouting, pushing officers away, and attempting to forcibly open her shop. Despite officials—including local IPS officers—trying to pacify her, she refused to back down. The situation intensified when she poured petrol on herself, threatening to set herself ablaze unless her shop was returned. Police quickly intervened and seized matches, preventing a tragedy.

The woman claims she rented one shop to Dr. Dhirendra Chauhan only for use as a clinic and another temporarily to accommodate patient overflow. Now, she accuses Dr. Chauhan and his nephew (a dentist) of illegally seizing both shops—with the support of police and local officials. According to her, police even supervised new construction inside the shop in her absence, further fueling her anger.

Legal Battle at the Heart

The dispute has been simmering for years between the property owner and her long-term tenants. It escalated to the courts, with Dr. Chauhan continuing to pay rent into court escrow as the case awaits resolution. A stay order (yathasthiti) currently prevents any alteration or eviction until a final judicial decision.

Despite the legal process, the landlady says neither the police nor the administration is helping her, alleging corruption and collusion with “land mafias” and politicians. She alleges the BJP government is “corrupt,” and says, “For 50 years we have run our office here, and now they want to take it away with the police’s help.”

The tenant, Dr. Chauhan, and his supporter argue they have legal rights as longtime renters and have made no unauthorized claims.

Authorities Respond

On-site, ADM Shyamlata Anand confirmed, “This is a rent-control matter under court litigation, and there is a stay on any changes to the property. Both parties are being called to present their documents for a full hearing. No changes can be made until the case is resolved.”

She clarified that final justice will be delivered only after reviewing all paperwork and both party’s submissions. The authorities also stressed that any illegal changes or constructions in violation of the stay order would be dealt with strictly.

High Emotions and a Viral Video

The woman’s protest blocked traffic and caused a commotion, with bystanders filming the incident—a video that quickly went viral. Public opinion is divided, some siding with the desperate landlady, others emphasizing the value of due legal process and questioning the propriety of her self-harm threat.

Conclusion

This case highlights:

The intense frustration property owners face during prolonged rent disputes
The limitations of police and administrative action while matters are sub judice (before the court)
The emotional toll on all parties, with legal processes sometimes feeling too slow or ineffectual

The Mainpuri protest is a stark reminder that without swift and transparent resolution, civil disputes can easily spill onto the streets, creating public disorder and risking tragedies.

What do you think? How can authorities better handle property disputes to prevent such high drama? Should laws be reformed for faster resolution? Share your opinion in the comments!