Maharashtra BJP MLA Arrested For Allegedly Shooting Shiv Sena Shinde Faction Leader

BJP Ganpat Gaikwad said that he used the firearm as his son was being beaten at the police station. Shiv Sena Mahesh Gaikwad's and his associate were injured.

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was arrested after he allegedly shot and injured a MLA of the Eknath Shinde-faction of the Shiv Sena over a land dispute, inside the premises of a police station in Thane, late Friday night. The incident which occurred at 10:30 PM involved a rival political leader and took place at Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly opened fire at Shiv Sena's leader Mahesh Gaikwad. Mahesh was injured and admitted to a hospital in Thane city. A FIR has been registered.

According to a PTI report, Ganpat Gaikwad said that he used the firearm as his son was being beaten at the police station. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to establish a "kingdom of criminals" in Maharashtra.

An eye-witness told ANI that Mahesh Gaikwad and one of his supporters were hit by five bullets, reported ANI.

According to PTI, Ganpat Gaikwad’s son had come to the police station to lodge a complaint in connection with a land dispute when Mahesh Gaikwad arrived along with his men. Later, Ganpat Gaikwad also reached the police station.

During an altercation between the MLA and the Sena leader, Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly fired shots at Mahesh Gaikwad inside the senior inspector’s chamber, injuring him and one of his associates. 

“Yes, I shot (him) myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten in front of the police inside the police station, what will I do,” Ganpat Gaikwad was quoted by PTI.

Mahesh who was injured in the shooting was rushed to Thane’s Jupiter hospital. “He underwent surgery, which was successful,” said Gopal Landge, Kalyan in-charge of Sena.

Besides Ganpat Gaikwad, the police have also arrested two others. They have been booked under Indian Penal Code sections, including 307 (attempt to murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

Ganpat Gaikwad was brought to the police station for medical examination. He will be produced before court today. Three people, including Gaikwad have been arrested in connection with the incident. DCP Sudhakar Pathare according to ANI said, "Case registered against six people, three of whom have been arrested. Search for the other three is underway. Sections of the IPC and Arms Act invoked in the FIR."

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadanavis has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. A Crime branch SIT, led by ACP Nilesh Sonawane has been formed for the investigation of the incident.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey commented on the incident and said that it was unfortunate that the 3-engine government, two parties are trying to kill each other.

Dubey was quoted by ANI as saying, "This firing has taken place inside the police station. The one who opened fire was BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, and the one who was shot at was Shiv Sena Shinde Faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad. It is unfortunate that an MLA who needs to work for the welfare of lakhs of people is shooting people. In the 3-engine government, leaders of two parties are fighting and trying to kill each other."

Dubey said that Maharashtra has been turned into a jungle-raj. "The firing incident happened inside a police station. BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad fired at the leader of Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena leader. Just imagine, how our state Maharashtra is being turned into a jungle raj," he said. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut told reported, that the incident happened in Eknath Shinde's hometown and the MLA said that he was forced to shoot. "Firing incident is happening in the home town of CM Eknath Shinde and the MLA openly says that Shinde forced him to shoot, that the CM should resign. Today, it happened at a Police station. The manner in which the CMO has become a den of goons, I fear that such incidents can take place even at Mantralaya and CMO".

Meanwhile Congress leader, Vijay Wadettiwar told ANI that, "If a ruling side leader or a public representative shoot like this, it means that the Law and Order situation of the country is in complete disorder. I think that as the elections approach, an even bigger incident can occur if the government pays no attention. We demand that strict action should be taken against public representatives with a criminal mindset."