Sanjay Raut Criticizes Maharashtra Govt Over Rising Crime in Pune, Alleges Political Protection to Gangsters
Pune, 1st March 2025: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra government, alleging that criminals in Pune are being shielded due to their political connections with the BJP and NCP. His remarks come in the wake of a shocking rape case at Swargate MSRTC depot, where a 26-year-old woman was assaulted inside a stationary Shivshahi bus.
Expressing concern over the rising crime rate in the city, Raut accused the authorities of inaction, citing a nexus between politicians and gangsters. He referred to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar’s initiative of summoning criminals to the commissionerate and warning them when he assumed office. However, Raut claimed that no significant action followed this warning.
“The Pune police commissioner paraded these gangsters when he took charge, but failed to take stringent action. These very criminals were later employed by BJP and NCP during election campaigns. Now, no one dares to act against them,” Raut alleged.
Regarding the arrest of Dattatray Gade, the prime accused in the Swargate rape case, Raut dismissed any praise for the police, stating, “They have only done their duty. This is not a favor. There won’t be any encounters this time because elections are not around the corner. The Akshay Shinde encounter (Badlapur sexual assault case) happened only because polls were near.”
However, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who leads one faction of the NCP, refuted Raut’s claims. “I don’t want to respond to his statements. If anyone has evidence, they should hand it over to the police and let the investigation take its course,” he said.
With increasing crime incidents in Pune raising alarm, opposition parties continue to demand accountability from the government and strict action against criminals.
