Mumbai, October 2026 : A high-level delegation of Shiv Sena leaders on Thursday met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding a comprehensive forensic and cybercrime investigation into an alleged audio clip released by Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil.
The audio clip reportedly contains an allegation that ₹500 crore had been transferred to Jarange Patil through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde. It also suggests that his primary target was Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These claims remain allegations and require independent verification.
The delegation 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 memorandum urging the state government to involve its cybercrime cell and intelligence agencies to establish the authenticity and origin of the recording.
According to the delegation, Fadnavis assured them that an in-depth inquiry would be conducted and that no one would be spared if wrongdoing was established.
Sachin Ahir said Jarange Patil had made baseless allegations and noted that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had already rejected the claims. He said the party wanted the matter investigated to bring the facts to light.
Rahul Shewale described the alleged remarks concerning Eknath Shinde and Shrikant Shinde as defamatory and objectionable. He said a forensic examination of the audio was necessary to determine whether it had been manipulated and to establish the circumstances in which the statements were made.
The delegation also raised concerns about a possible conspiracy to disturb Maharashtra's social harmony and public peace. Shewale called for verification of statements attributed to a woman in the recording, including the basis of her claims, the evidence available to her and the source of the information.
The Shiv Sena leaders further demanded that anyone found responsible for making false or defamatory statements should face appropriate action, without receiving political protection.
They argued that allegations targeting leaders of parties within the ruling Mahayuti alliance should be examined through a transparent process rather than becoming a source of political confrontation.
The controversy comes amid continuing political debate surrounding Maratha reservation and the allegations exchanged between political figures in Maharashtra. The proposed forensic and cybercrime inquiry is expected to focus on the recording's authenticity, the identity of those involved and the evidence supporting the claims.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
