New Delhi: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut took to social media to share a photograph showing Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's son and MP Shrikant Shinde being greeted by a man facing murder charges and currently out on bail.
Sanjay Raut's post on X comes three days after an MLA of the ruling BJP allegedly fired at a local Shiv Sena leader (of CM Shinde camp) inside a police station in Thane district.
Notably, Sanjay Raut shared the photo and strategically tagged Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (who also holds the home department), and the Pune police.
According to PTI, on Sunday, many people went to greet Shrikant Shinde on his birthday. One of the visitors was Hemant Dabhekar, a resident of Pune and one of the accused in the case of the murder of Kishor Marne, who was one of the key members of the Marne gang. Dabhekar is said to be a part of the Sharad Mohol gang.
While not explicitly naming Dabhekar in the post, Raut said, "Home minister Devendraji, Maharashtra is ruled by goons. The ruling party's MLA opens fire in a police station. Why did the goons become so powerful? Who is responsible for this?" Raut also encircled Dabhekar's face in the photograph as he was seen greeting Shrikant Shinde, reported PTI.
"Yesterday, the prince celebrated his birthday. Find out who is the encircled person in this image? Then it will be revealed that who is feeding the goons. With government's blessings, the goons are free in the state", the Sena (UBT) leader claimed, as per PTI.
In the aftermath of the controversy surrounding the photograph, Yuva Sena functionary Aniket Jawalkar was reportedly removed from the position of its western Maharashtra observer, though no specific reason was provided for this move, reported PTI.