Kadam is likely to spend Diwali in jail, with a bail hearing at the regular sessions court ruled out by the Diwali vacation from October 16. “The courts normally take at least two days to hear a bail plea. Even if Kadam moves the regular court tomorrow, it’s unlikely the court will decide before the vacation ends,” said special public prosecutor R V Kini. The vacation court begins on Monday.

Kadam has been charged with preventing a public servant from discharging his duty, and rioting. Kadam and his supporters had alleged that an attempt was being made to rig the poll at the booth at Sarvodaya School, Ghatkopar.

Around noon, Inspector Fulsingh Pawar of Ghatkopar police station received a call informing him that Kadam, accompanied by 50-60 party workers, were creating a ruckus at the booth. “When I reached there Kadam and his supporters were alleging that the polling procedure at the booth was faulty. They had seen an EVM being taken out and replaced by another. The machine was faulty and we tried to convince him, but he didn’t listen,” said Pawar.

“Every booth has at least one spare machine. After the originally installed EVM had developed problems, the spare one was put in place and another spare one had to be brought in for further emergencies. Kadam and his men saw the new one being taken inside and protested. When I asked him to leave, he shoved me but before he could continue I threw him out of the booth,” Pawar added.