BJP MLA Says 'Fired In Self Defence’, Accuses Maha CM Shinde After Shooting Sena Leader: Report

BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad and two of his aides were apprehended by Thane police on Saturday for allegedly shooting Mahesh Gaikwad.

BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad , and Shinde-Led Shiv Sena MLA Mahesh Gaikwad.

Source : Ulhasnagar Reporter

Ganpat Gaikwad, a BJP MLA from Kalyan East, was taken into custody on Saturday for reportedly shooting a legislator from Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction at a police station in Maharashtra's Thane district. Gaikwad stated he had "no regrets" and acted out of rage, The Indian Express reported. Gaikwad and two of his aides were apprehended by Thane police on Saturday for allegedly shooting Mahesh Gaikwad, the Kalyan city president of the Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde faction and a party activist, inside a police station in Ulhasnagar.

As per The Indian Express's report, after the shooting incident, an audio clip has been circulating in which Ganpat is blaming Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for making him turn into a "criminal." He alleged that his son was manhandled inside the premises of the police station, which led to the shooting. 

"They forcibly took possession of my land. Eknath Shinde is trying to create a rule for criminals in Maharashtra. If he remains the Chief Minister, Maharashtra will only see the emergence of criminals. It is Shinde who has made a criminal out of me today,” he was quoted as saying by Indian Express in its report. 

Calling his actions "self-defence", the BJP MLA said that he opened fire as his son was being beaten up in front of the police, adding: "What do you expect me to have done? I was not planning to kill them but if someone behaves this way right in front of police then I have to act in self-defence.”

However, police in their statement have maintained that there was "no argument or provocation" and said there was "no question of [firing in] self-defence."

Detailing the incident, Thane Additional CP Datta Shinde stated: "BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad shot Mahesh Gaikwad (Shiv Sena Shinde Faction leader) and Rahul Patil. A case has been registered...Going by what has been found here, there was no question of (firing in) self-defence. The injured were sitting and watching the CCTV screen. There was no argument or provocation. But he (Ganpat Gaikwad) aimed and shot them...Six bullets have been received from injured Mahesh Gaikwad's body."

#WATCH | Ulhasnagar firing incident | Datta Shinde, Thane Additional CP gives details on the incident.

He says, "...(BJP) MLA Ganpat Gaikwad shot Mahesh Gaikwad (Shiv Sena Shinde Faction leader) and Rahul Patil. A case has been registered...Going by what has been found here,… pic.twitter.com/EFqLRucXDg

— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2024

"Three people, including BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, arrested in connection with Ulhasnagar firing incident. Six rounds of firing took place," said DCP Sudhakar Pathare.