Navi Mumbai MNS chief’s wife accuses him of running extortion racket, casteism

Gajanan Kale, chief of MNS’s Navi Mumbai unit

The wife of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) Navi Mumbai chief Gajanan Kale has accused him of running an extortion syndicate and has claimed that the racket is being run with the knowledge of party members. Sanjivani Kale registered a case of harassment and casteism against Gajanan and made the claims of extortion at a press conference recently.

"Every month he used to get lakhs in cash from various officials of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC). It's a well-planned syndicate, running for years. Even his party members know this," Sanjivani claimed on Sunday. Sanjivani said that since the day she raised her voice against Gajanan's mistreatment of her, no one from the MNS has extended support.

Sanjivani registered an FIR at Nerul police station on August 11 under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989. The police say that they have formed teams to arrest him.

Married to Gajanan for 13 years, Sanjivani claimed, "I constantly faced casteist remarks from my husband. I knew about his extramarital affairs. Gajanan demanded money from NMMC officials, including ward officers and engineers, and diverted it to a construction company. There were people who collected money every month and brought it home. He made crores by extorting from builders and from people for whom he staged agitations."

‘Probe if evidence found'

Meanwhile, the NMMC top brass is mum about the claims. A top official from the corporation said, "There are some officials whom Gajanan blackmailed; some are allegedly hand-in-glove with him. If Gajanan is probed properly and names of officials and evidence against them comes up, we will take action."

Gajanan did not respond to mid-day's calls and messages. Navi Mumbai's Commissioner of Police Bipin Kumar Singh said, "The hearing of his anticipatory bail has been postponed. We are trying to get him. There is no question of pressure on police to not arrest him. The investigating officer can take a call whenever he thinks is right."

‘A family issue'

MNS's party spokesperson, Sandeep Deshpande, said, "It's a family issue; we don't want to comment on it. As far as allegations regarding taking money for agitations and other matters are concerned, there is no proof of it. Let the investigation happen, the truth will come out."