Mumbai: Dramatic footage captured by CCTV at a police station near Mumbai has surfaced, depicting a shocking incident involving a BJP MLA allegedly firing at a leader from its ally, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and subsequently assaulting him and his associates with the butt of his gun. This footage appears to significantly undermine the MLA’s argument of acting in self-defense.
Ganpat Gaikwad, the BJP MLA representing Kalyan East in Thane district, has been embroiled in a land dispute with Mahesh Gaikwad, the Kalyan chief of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). According to police reports, Ganpat Gaikwad’s son had visited a police station in neighboring Ulhasnagar on Friday to file a complaint related to the dispute when Mahesh Gaikwad arrived with his supporters. Subsequently, the BJP MLA also arrived at the police station.
In a chilling two-minute video, Ganpat Gaikwad is seen initially in conversation with four individuals, including Mahesh Gaikwad, in the senior police inspector’s chamber at Hill Line police station. The atmosphere seems calm until suddenly, Ganpat Gaikwad stands up, brandishing a gun and firing at one of the men, leading to chaos. As two of the men attempt to flee, the MLA fires again.
Following this, when police officials enter the room, Ganpat Gaikwad proceeds to attack one of the men with the butt of his gun, despite efforts to restrain him. Meanwhile, another individual in the room is seen assaulting an associate of one of the leaders involved.
Ganpat Gaikwad and two of his associates have been apprehended, while Mahesh Gaikwad and one of his aides are receiving medical treatment for gunshot wounds.
In a statement to a news channel after the incident, Ganpat Gaikwad claimed self-defense, alleging that his son was being assaulted by the Sena leader’s associates in front of the police.
However, the CCTV footage contradicts this assertion.
Moreover, Ganpat Gaikwad criticized his party ally and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, accusing him of fostering a “kingdom of criminals” in Maharashtra and alleging financial debts owed to him. He called for Shinde’s resignation, asserting that his leadership would breed criminality in the state.
The MLA and his associates are scheduled to appear in court in Ulhasnagar, where the police will seek their custody.
The opposition has demanded Chief Minister Shinde’s resignation, citing a breakdown in law and order in the state. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut also held Mr. Shinde accountable for the incident.
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