05 February,2024 02:15 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
A still from CCTV footage capturing the shooting. Pics/Navneet Barhate
Shiv Sena leader Mahesh Gaikwad, who was injured in the Ulhasanagar firing incident wherein he was shot at in a police station by BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, is stable, said Thane-based hospital officials on Monday.
Per a report in PTI, Gaikwad, who is admitted at Thane's Jupiter Hospital was visited by Shrikant Shinde, son of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and a member of the Kalyan Lok Sabha. Per the report, Shinde inquired about Gaikwad's health and a photo of their meeting circulated on social media.
Gaikwad, 40, the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde)'s Kalyan unit chief, was initially reported to be in critical condition. The alleged incident occurred late Friday night inside the Hill Line police station's senior inspector's cabin, where BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly shot six bullets into Mahesh Gaikwad, injuring his associate Rahul Patil.
Following the event, Mahesh Gaikwad was taken to a private hospital in Ulhasnagar and was later transferred to Thane hospital where he underwent emergency life-saving surgery and was placed on a ventilator, according to the hospital's statement on Saturday, stated a PTI report.
The hospital spokeswoman announced on Monday that Mahesh Gaikwad's health had stabilised, the report added.
According to the FIR filed in response to a builder's complaint, the victim, the accused MLA, and others attended a meeting about a land dispute the day before the event. The disagreement was supposed to be resolved during the meeting however things went south resulting in the Ulhasnagar firing incident.
Ganpat Gaikwad, a three-time Kalyan East MLA, is accused of attempted murder and other offences in connection with the case. Ganpat Gaikwad had informed the media following the incident that he fired five rounds and did so because his son was being assaulted by Mahesh Gaikwad's men and he could not bear it.
A video of the incident also went viral on social media. Following the incident, the opposition tore into the ruling Mahayuti. NCP's Clyde Castro demanded resignation from Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis who is also the Home Minister.
