Nagpur: Former Maharashtra Home Minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh, along with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, have landed in hot water after a photo of them having lunch in Nagpur surfaced on social media. The image, posted by BJP MLA Nitesh Rane, shows the two leaders dining with a group that included Gautam Bhatkar, a notorious criminal and accused under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA), a report in a local newspaper said.
According to the report, the lunch, held on Sunday in the outskirts of Nagpur, was reportedly hosted by a Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary. Speaking to the newspaper, Deshmukh claimed he was unaware of the identities of those present. “This photo was taken at a place in the Nagpur outskirts and was organized by a Sena office-bearer. I was present as the area comes in my Assembly constituency,” Deshmukh clarified.
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Rane, known for his outspoken and aggressive commentary, shared the photo on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), captioning it as ‘Gang Bhojan.’ In his post, the Kankavli MLA pointed out the presence of Bhatkar, highlighting his criminal background. “Both are out on bail. Enjoying a meal in Nagpur. No problem. But see who these two accused on bail are dining with. Gautam Bhatkar is with them,” wrote Rane.
Elaborating on Bhatkar’s criminal history, Rane described him as a leader of the infamous Santosh Ambekar gang, with charges under MCOCA, a rape accusation resolved by marriage to the victim, and numerous extortion cases. He remarked, “If you associate with such criminals, you will inevitably land in jail.”
The post also took aim at Deshmukh and Raut’s earlier statements about their imprisonment. Rane retorted, “Then why claim in speeches that you had to go to jail because of someone from Nagpur? You reap what you sow!” His remarks were in response to comments made by Deshmukh and Raut during a joint press conference on Sunday, where they suggested their jail time was due to the influence of a prominent Nagpur politician, indirectly referencing Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The photo has sparked a political uproar, drawing attention to the company kept by senior political figures and raising questions about their affiliations.
