Nagpur: Nutan Rewatkar, the State Secretary of the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP on Thursday came down heavily on BJP leaders over the Munna Yadav episode. She said, “Instead of externing Munna Yadav, who has numerous serious criminal cases registered against him across police stations in Nagpur, BJP MLC Pravin Datke repeatedly intervenes at police stations to protect the criminals in his party and exerts pressure on police officers. This is the second time he has done so,” Rewatkar said.
“Previously, Datke had rushed to the Ganeshpeth Police Station for the same “special” worker with criminal tendencies. Once again, three days ago, Datke visited the Dhantoli Police Station. The police should extern such a criminal, and the public should oust such an MLC from politics in the upcoming elections,” demanded Nutan Rewatkar at a press conference at the Press Club on Thursday.
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The NCP leader further said that Munna Yadav is a very “special” worker of State Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Two days ago, Munna Yadav’s sons, Karan and Arjun, along with their associates, carried out an armed attack on their cousins, leading to a violent brawl between the two groups. Both groups later arrived at the Dhantoli Police Station, where Munna Yadav assaulted a DCP-level police officer by grabbing his collar inside the station. How does Munna Yadav muster the courage to abuse and threaten the police inside a station? Rewatkar raised this question.
“The police are not the servants of any political party; they are responsible for public protection. However, BJP goon Munna Yadav and BJP MLC Datke treat the police as if they are their personal staff, intimidating them, misbehaving, and even grabbing the collars of on-duty officers. Previously, a BJP office-bearer at Fadnavis’ Devgiri bungalow in Nagpur had grabbed the collar of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and manhandled him, but Fadnavis instructed that no charges be filed against the culprit, thereby backing the criminal and demoralizing the police force,” Rewatkar alleged.
She questioned, “How can police officers who cannot protect themselves from BJP goons inside their own station protect the public? This is why Nagpur has earned the title of ‘Crime Capital.’ Incidents of violence against women and murders are on the rise in the city, while MLC Pravin Datke rushes to the Dhantoli Police Station to save Munna Yadav and his goon sons, pressuring the police. Datke has no moral right to hold his MLC position,” Rewatkar stated.
“Despite the serious nature of the attack, the Dhantoli police registered only a minor offense under Section 353. Why weren’t more serious charges applied? Is the law different for BJP office-bearers and common citizens? Is it acceptable for swords to be used in family disputes?” Rewatkar asked. She further pointed out that her party has always stood behind the victims and never behind criminals.
Rewatkar further alleged that most notably, Munna Yadav held a press conference the other day where he accused the police of being complicit in the rampant sale of MD drugs and marijuana in the city, and claimed that the police have been inactive against drug traffickers. This, in a way, was a direct accusation against Home Minister Fadnavis by his own party’s criminal office-bearer. She demanded that Fadnavis apologize and resign from his post for his failure to control the situation.
Rewatkar also made a sensational allegation that PI Anil Raut from Umred was transferred under the pressure of a Personal Assistant (PA) of a senior leader from Fadnavis’ party. She claimed that Nagpur’s police administration is not only influenced by BJP leaders but also by their PAs, who impose a monthly target for collecting bribes. Those who don’t comply are transferred. She also revealed that even a Superintendent of Police is fed up with this BJP corruption.
Rewatkar highlighted a previous serious incident in which Munna Yadav’s son assaulted a referee with a bat during an MP Sports Festival match, but no case was registered. She pointed out that no charges have been filed in the recent Dhantoli incident either. Instead, when she protested against Datke, he sent 50 people to the police station to file a case against her.
Rewatkar added that police were under so much pressure that they served her a court summons for August 15, Independence Day, when courts are closed nationwide. Her daring response to attend court on that day created a stir, she said. This incident, she emphasized, illustrates the extent to which police officers operate under pressure.
Rewatkar also pointed out that every day new advertisements for various groundbreaking ceremonies feature Munna Yadav’s photograph. She remarked that while a criminal with 14 serious cases against him should be exiled, he is instead appearing in advertisements alongside Home Minister Fadnavis, showing the “collusion” between the two.
Other attendees at the press conference included Shailendra Tiwari, Amit Srivastava, Mahendra Bhange, Raju Chavan, Sanjay Akhare, and Mahesh Ambarwade.
