Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) files criminal complaint against 'former leaders' for “impersonation”

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Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) has filed a criminal complaint against "former party leaders" and office bearers alleging impersonation and fraudulent use of login credentials for filing TDS and Income Tax returns.

The complaint was filed by Balaji Kinikar, the treasurer of the Shiv Sena, headed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The complaint, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, outlines a dispute within the party in 2022, resulting in two factions, one led by Uddhav Balasaheb Thackray and the other by Eknath Shinde. The Election Commission of India, in an order dated 17.02.2023, awarded party leadership and the flag to Eknath Shinde group.

According to Kinikar, the former leaders, despite being aware of the election commission's decision, impersonated themselves as leaders of Shiv Sena. They allegedly filed TDS returns for the quarter (July to September 2023) with Income Tax Authorities, using unauthorized login credentials.

To support the complaint, Kinikar has attached copies of relevant resolutions, authority letters, and the election commission's order. The complaint further emphasizes that the Shiv Sena had duly informed the Income Tax authorities about the leadership dispute and the change in leadership.

The Treasurer has urged the police to register an FIR against the former leaders, invoking sections 379, 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 472, 474, 475, 476 of IPC r/w Section 65, 66, 66 (c), (d) of the Information Technology Act.

This development comes after a recent order Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar ruling that the Eknath Shinde faction was the legitimate and "real Shiv Sena", having the support of the majority of the party's MLAs.

He pronounced his verdict on 34 petitions on January 10. The petitions were filed by the two rival Shiv Sena factions against each other, seeking the disqualification of 54 MLAs in total arising out of the party's 2022 split. Here is a quick recall - and what might happen next.

The roots of the discord were sown when the Shiv Sena, under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray, aligned with the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in 2019, joining hands with traditional adversaries, the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.

Despite Uddhav assuming the role of Chief Minister and Shiv Sena securing significant ministries, a faction within the party believed that forsaking the BJP for the MVA compromised the party's distinct identity and ideological stance.