Maharashtra Government Forms SIT to Investigate Alleged Conspiracy Against Fadnavis and Shinde

Mumbai, 1st February 2025: The Maharashtra Home Department, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has constituted a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations that the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government attempted to falsely implicate Fadnavis and current Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde in fabricated cases.

The SIT, headed by Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satyanarayan Choudhary, also includes State Reserve Police Force DIG Rajiv Jain, Deputy Commissioner of Police Navnath Dhawale, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Adikrao Pol. The team has been tasked with submitting its findings within a month, with Mumbai Police providing additional manpower as required.

The matter was initially brought to light by BJP leader and Fadnavis’ close associate Praveen Darekar during the winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature in December 2024. He alleged that the MVA government, under then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, had plotted to arrest Fadnavis and Shinde on false charges.

A government resolution issued by Joint Secretary Venkatesh Bhat confirmed that the SIT’s investigation would focus on complaints against then-investigating officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Laxmikant Patil. “The committee will also consider concerns raised in the Legislative Council regarding the alleged conspiracy,” an official from the Home Department stated.

With the SIT set to delve into these serious allegations, political observers expect the findings to have significant ramifications in the state’s political landscape.