Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday the initiation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into a dance party where Salim Kutta, a convicted 1993 Mumbai blasts conspirator and associate of gangster Dawood Ibrahim, was reportedly present alongside Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sudhakar Badgujar.
Badgujar, Nashik city unit chief of Sena (UBT), refuted the allegations during a news conference in Nashik, stating that any video evidence could be manipulated. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Nitesh Rane brought the issue to the assembly, presenting a photo depicting Badgujar and Salim Kutta dancing together.
"I also have a video of this party. This Salim Kutta is out on parole and was partying with a leader of Uddhav Thackeray's party. Action should be taken against him," Rane was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Minister Dadaji Bhuse from the Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called it an anti-national act, demanding action against Badgujar. BJP MLA Ashish Shelar advocated for a thorough investigation and the arrest of Badgujar.
Badgujar responded by denying any connection with Salim Kutta, citing "political motives" behind the allegations. He mentioned a 2016 incident related to a separate Vidarbha state rally, where cases were filed against him. Badgujar also highlighted his ignorance about the presence of 1993 bomb blast convicts in the same jail where he was held for 14 days.
He drew attention to allegations against NCP leader Praful Patel and sought action against him. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sachin Ahir dismissed the accusations, urging Rane to submit evidence to the home minister instead of making public statements.
Reactions to the incident varied within political circles. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Jitendra Awhad questioned the relevance of connecting individuals present at a party to criminal activities.
"A friend of my mine commits some murder out of some out of some rage, some anger. Am I risk responsible for it? If somebody's seen dancing somewhere in the club, am I responsible for it? Just to give political colours and make it a dubious suspicious issue, you raise questions that show your intellect. The government takes everything seriously when it comes to a position. What's great about that?... Is Aaditya Thackeray there? So, if Aaditya Thackeray is not present there, how can people ask him a question," Awhad told ANI.
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole condemned the BJP's demands, stating that those with connections to criminals should introspect before making accusations.
Patole told ANI: "Dawood Ibrahim is a wanted criminal in our country. He is a terrorist. Whoever is with him is an anti-national. What rights does the BJP have to demand whatever they are demanding by showing a photo? Those who have connections & partnerships with Iqbal Mirchi can sit with them...BJP should first introspect & later demand".