A high-level delegation of the ruling Shiv Sena met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Thursday and demanded a comprehensive forensic and cybercrime investigation into an alleged audio clip made public by Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil. Fadnavis assured the delegation that a thorough inquiry would be conducted without sparing anyone, party leaders said.
Source: IANS via The Freedom Press
Separately, Industries Minister Uday Samant demanded a multi-agency probe — police, cyber cell, forensic science laboratories and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) — to establish whose voices are on the 32-minute recording, who recorded it, where it was recorded and how it reached Jarange Patil.
Source: IANS via hi INDiA
What the clip claims — and what is not verified
A segment of the clip claims that Rs 500 crore — yaani five billion rupees — had already reached Jarange Patil through MP Shrikant Shinde, and that the primary personal target remains Devendra Fadnavis and the BJP. The authenticity of the recording, the identity of the speakers and the context of the conversation have not been independently established, and the payment claim remains an unverified allegation.
Jarange Patil has firmly denied accepting any money or agreeing to compromise his agitation for Maratha reservation. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also refuted the allegations, and Samant noted that Jarange himself has clarified he received no money.
32-minute audio clip released by Manoj Jarange Patil; alleged claim inside it: Rs 500 crore (Rs 5 billion) paid via MP Shrikant Shinde — unverified. Shiv Sena demands SIT, forensic and cyber probe; CM Fadnavis has assured a thorough inquiry. Jarange denies receiving money; Eknath Shinde denies the allegation.
A conspiracy to divide the alliance, says Samant
Samant termed the clip a deep-rooted conspiracy designed to tarnish Eknath Shinde's standing within the Maratha community and to sow misunderstandings between the Shiv Sena and the BJP. The delegation that met Fadnavis included Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Sachin Ahir, MP Milind Deora, former MP Rahul Shewale, MLA Rahul Patil, MP Ravindra Waikar and Deepak Sawant, and it formally submitted a memorandum seeking a probe by the cyber cell and intelligence agencies.
The controversy first surfaced after Jarange raised the Rs 500 crore claim during his Narayangad Dussehra rally in Beed district, saying senior political leaders had told him that Shinde had allegedly told the BJP leadership in Delhi that the funds were paid. That claim, too, remains unproven.
What is solid
- A Shiv Sena delegation met CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday and submitted a memorandum demanding forensic and cyber investigation of the audio clip.
- Industries Minister Uday Samant has demanded an SIT probe into the clip.
- Fadnavis assured a thorough inquiry, according to the delegation.
- Jarange Patil denies receiving any money; Eknath Shinde has refuted the allegation.
What is only claimed
- The audio clip's claim that Rs 500 crore was paid to Jarange Patil through Shrikant Shinde — authenticity of the recording and identity of speakers not independently established.
- Samant's characterisation of the clip as a conspiracy against Shinde and the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance.