Mumbai: A high-level delegation of the ruling Shiv Sena met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday and demanded a comprehensive forensic and cybercrime investigation into an alleged audio clip made public by Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil, IANS reported. Fadnavis assured the delegation that a thorough inquiry would be conducted without sparing anyone.

Source: The Freedom Press (IANS)

Separately, in Jalna, senior Shiv Sena leader and Industries Minister Uday Samant demanded a multi-agency probe — a Special Investigation Team (SIT), forensic analysis and a cyber-cell investigation — to verify the voices in the 32-minute clip, establish who recorded it, and trace how it reached Jarange Patil.

Source: HiIndia (IANS)

₹500 crorealleged amount named in the clip (yaani ₹5 billion)
32 minuteslength of the audio clip released by Jarange Patil

The allegation at the centre of the row is unverified. A segment of the clip allegedly claims that ₹500 crore had already reached Jarange Patil through MP Shrikant Shinde, and names Fadnavis and the BJP as targets. These are claims made inside an unauthenticated recording — Awaaz Punjab is reporting them as allegations, not as established facts.

Samant alleged the clip was a conspiracy to tarnish Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's standing in the Maratha community and to create distrust between the Shiv Sena and the BJP. He noted that Jarange Patil has himself clarified he received no money, and that Eknath Shinde has stated his position. Shinde has denied giving or taking any money and has said he is open to an investigation.

The delegation that met the Chief Minister included Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Sachin Ahir, MP Milind Deora, former MP Rahul Shewale, MLA Rahul Patil, MP Ravindra Waikar and Deepak Sawant. The leaders submitted a petition asking the government to deploy the cyber cell and intelligence agencies, and raised concern about whether a deeper conspiracy was aimed at disturbing social harmony in Maharashtra.

What is solid

  • A Shiv Sena delegation met CM Fadnavis on Thursday and formally demanded a forensic and cyber probe
  • Uday Samant demanded an SIT, forensic analysis and a cyber-cell investigation
  • Jarange Patil and Eknath Shinde have both denied any ₹500-crore money transfer

What is only claimed

  • The clip's claim that ₹500 crore reached Jarange Patil through Shrikant Shinde — unverified and denied
  • The identity of the voices in the 32-minute recording — not yet forensically established