Sanjay Raut seeks UAPA arrest of rebel MP Sanjay Patil over bomb, murder claims
Synopsis
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has escalated the post-defection political war to the doorstep of Mumbai Police, demanding UAPA action against rebel MP Sanjay Patil over alleged bomb threats and a claim of having 'killed 5 people before.' With six MPs gone and criminal allegations now flying, Maharashtra's political fault lines have never looked more dangerous.
Key Takeaways
Sanjay Raut wrote to Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti on 24 June , demanding arrest of rebel MP Sanjay Dina Patil under UAPA .
Raut cited two alleged statements by Patil: a claim of having 'killed 5 people before' and a threat to 'throw a bomb' at protesters.
Raut demanded an ATS raid on Patil's residence and registration of a murder case .
The demand follows 'Operation Tiger' — the defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs to the Eknath Shinde faction on 22 June .
Mumbai Police had not issued an official response as of the time of reporting.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has written to Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, demanding the immediate arrest of rebel Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Dina Patil under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The letter, dated 24 June, was uploaded by Raut on 25 June and follows the high-voltage defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction on 22 June — an episode the Uddhav camp has labelled 'Operation Tiger'.
The Allegations Against Patil
Raut's letter explicitly cites two statements he attributes to North-East Mumbai MP Sanjay Dina Patil. According to Raut, Patil reportedly declared, 'I have killed 5 people before' — a claim the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader urged the police to treat as a 'self-confessed admission of guilt', demanding registration of a murder case and an investigation into the identities of the alleged victims.
In a second alleged statement, Patil purportedly warned, 'If anyone protests against me, I will throw a bomb at them. I will enter their homes and kill them.' Raut cited this as grounds for invoking UAPA, arguing that a sitting lawmaker issuing a bomb threat constitutes a direct challenge to national security.
Raut's Security Demand and Legal Warning
In the letter, Raut called for an immediate raid on Patil's residence with the assistance of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), arguing that if Patil had manufactured explosives at home, it warranted urgent intervention. He further stated that if the bombs were sourced from a terrorist organisation, it elevated the matter to a grave national security concern requiring UAPA detention.
Raut warned that if Mumbai Police failed to act swiftly, he would approach the courts in the interest of public safety. He also held Patil personally responsible for any violence against political workers in the current volatile climate.
The Political Backdrop: 'Operation Tiger'
The defection of six out of nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha members to the ruling coalition on 22 June has triggered a fierce war of words between the two factions. Patil has previously alleged that he faced isolation and unfair treatment within the Uddhav Thackeray camp. Raut, in turn, has alleged that the rebel MPs switched sides in exchange for substantial monetary kickbacks — a charge the defectors have not publicly addressed in detail.
The split deepens an already fractured political landscape in Maharashtra, where the Shiv Sena has been divided since the 2022 rebellion that brought Shinde to power.
Police Response Awaited
As of the time of reporting, Mumbai Police had not issued an official response to Raut's letter or indicated what action, if any, they intend to take against Patil. The verbal hostility between the two factions has now formally entered the domain of law enforcement, with both sides trading allegations of criminal intimidation. How the police handle the complaint is expected to have significant political consequences in Maharashtra.
Point of View
However inflammatory, have not been independently verified raises serious questions about proportionality. The real story is what 'Operation Tiger' has exposed: that six of nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs were available to flip, suggesting the Uddhav camp's parliamentary base is far shakier than its street presence implies. Raut's escalation to law enforcement shifts the narrative from a party management failure to a law-and-order crisis — a framing that may serve him better ahead of state-level elections. Whether Mumbai Police act or stay silent, the outcome is politically loaded either way.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Sanjay Raut demanded UAPA action against Sanjay Patil?
Raut has alleged that rebel MP Sanjay Dina Patil made two grave public statements: claiming to have 'killed 5 people before' and threatening to 'throw a bomb' at protesters. In a letter to Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti dated 24 June, Raut argued these statements constitute a national security threat warranting arrest under UAPA.
What is 'Operation Tiger' and why does it matter?
'Operation Tiger' refers to the defection of six out of nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction on 22 June. The mass crossing has sharply weakened the Uddhav Thackeray camp's parliamentary presence and triggered the current war of words between the two factions.
What specific action has Raut demanded from Mumbai Police?
Raut has demanded the immediate arrest of Sanjay Patil under UAPA, registration of a murder case based on Patil's alleged 'killed 5 people' remark, and an ATS raid on Patil's residence to check for explosives. He also warned he would approach the courts if police fail to act.
Has Mumbai Police responded to Raut's letter?
As of 25 June, Mumbai Police had not issued an official response to Raut's letter or announced any action against Sanjay Patil. How the force responds is expected to carry significant political weight in Maharashtra.
Why did Sanjay Patil and the other MPs defect from Shiv Sena (UBT)?
Patil has previously stated that he faced unfair treatment and isolation within the Uddhav Thackeray camp. Raut has countered by alleging the rebel MPs defected in exchange for monetary kickbacks, a charge the defectors have not publicly addressed in detail.
