Sanjay Raut shares photo of CM Shinde's son with murder accused

Sanjay Raut/ ANI screengrab

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut sparked outrage on Monday by posting a photo on social media of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's son, MP Shrikant Shinde, being received by a man currently facing murder charges and free on bail, stated a report in PTI.

The post comes three days after an alleged shooting between a BJP MLA and a local Shiv Sena leader in Thane district. Last week, a BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad shot at Sena leader Mahesh Gaikwad inside the office of the senior Police inspector in Ulhasnagar which triggered a huge row.

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On Shrikant Shinde's birthday, one of the visitors was Hemant Dabhekar, an accused in the murder of Kishor Marne, a major member of the Marne gang who is linked to the Sharad Mohol gang, the news agency PTI reported.

According to the report, Raut published the photo on social media, tagging Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (who also heads the home department), and the Pune police. While not specifically identifying Dabhekar, Raut questioned the increase in power of such figures and who was responsible for it. However, Raut had encircled Dabhekar's photo before sharing it on social media.

The post emphasised the supposed influence of "goons" in the state, citing the ruling party MLA's role in the police station shooting event. Raut emphasised government involvement, claiming that with its approval, goons roam freely throughout the state, the PTI report further stated.

In his post, Raut wrote, "Hon Home Minister Devendraji, Jai Maharashtra! The rule of gangsters continues in Maharashtra. MLAs of the ruling party shoot in the police station! Why did the gangsters become so strong? Who is responsible for this situation? The prince's birthday was celebrated yesterday. Find out who is this person posing with him is? Then who is feeding the gangsterism in the state? Gangsters are free with government blessings!

In response to the controversy over the photos, Yuva Sena functionary Aniket Jawalkar was dismissed from his role as western Maharashtra observer on Monday, for no apparent reason, the report added.