Sanjay Patil on camera: Shinde Sena MP threatens journalists, abuses reporters
Synopsis
A sitting MP threatening journalists on camera — in front of police — is not a routine political gaffe. Sanjay Dina Patil's outburst, days after switching to the Shinde Sena, has handed the opposition a live ammunition round: Sanjay Raut is now demanding a murder FIR based on Patil's own alleged words. The Shinde camp's response — an apology from a party leader, not the MP himself — may not be enough to close this down.
Key Takeaways
Mumbai North-East MP Sanjay Dina Patil was caught on camera threatening journalists and using abusive language on 25 June in Mumbai .
Patil told reporters, 'If you come back to me again, I will have you beaten up' — in the presence of police personnel.
The incident occurred days after Patil's switch from Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Eknath Shinde -led Shiv Sena .
Sanjay Raut has written to the Police Commissioner demanding a murder case, citing Patil's alleged claim of having 'killed 5 people before.' Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said he spoke to Patil and advised him to express regret; Sanjay Shirsat apologised on the party's behalf.
Multiple journalists' associations have formally condemned the incident and demanded action under press protection norms.
Mumbai North-East MP Sanjay Dina Patil triggered a major political and media storm on Thursday, 25 June, after he was caught on camera hurling abusive language and issuing direct physical threats to journalists — an incident that erupted just days after his formal switch from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
The confrontation unfolded while reporters were questioning Patil about his recent political defection and his ongoing rivalry with the Uddhav Thackeray camp. What began as a press interaction quickly deteriorated, with Patil reportedly losing his composure and unleashing a torrent of explicit language — in full view of police personnel present at the scene.
What Patil Said on Camera
Patil was recorded telling journalists, 'If you come back to me again, I will have you beaten up.' He followed this with, 'Write whatever you want, record it, go and complain to the Commissioner. I am saying this right in front of the police.' The statements, captured on video, circulated rapidly and drew immediate condemnation from press bodies across Maharashtra.
This was not an isolated incident. In a separate, earlier episode, Patil reportedly claimed his family had historically 'had five people killed' and warned that anyone who crossed him would end up 'either in the hospital or the cemetery.' Both statements have since become the focal point of demands for legal action.
Shinde Faction's Response
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde attempted to contain the fallout, confirming he had spoken directly to Patil. Shinde contended that the outburst was not aimed at journalists per se but was an expression of accumulated anger directed at political rivals — specifically referencing rhetoric from Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena (UBT) against rebel MPs. Shinde said he advised Patil to express regret if his words caused hurt to media professionals.
Senior Shinde-faction leader Sanjay Shirsat went further, offering an apology on the party's behalf and characterising the episode as an emotional outburst rather than a deliberate threat.
Opposition Demands FIR, Murder Probe
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has written to the Police Commissioner demanding strict legal action against Patil. Raut cited two statements attributed to the MP: first, that Patil had allegedly said, 'I have killed 5 people before' — which Raut urged police to treat as a self-confessed admission of guilt and the basis for registering a murder case. Second, Raut alleged that Patil had warned, 'If anyone protests against me, I will throw a bomb at them. I will enter their homes and kill them.' Raut demanded an immediate investigation to identify the individuals Patil purportedly referenced.
Journalist Bodies Condemn the Incident
Multiple journalists' associations have formally condemned Patil's conduct, calling for both a public apology and action under applicable press protection norms. The incident has intensified scrutiny over the treatment of the media by elected representatives, and comes at a moment of heightened political tension in Maharashtra following a wave of defections between Shiv Sena factions.
With police yet to register a case and the Shinde camp stopping short of a direct reprimand, pressure from press bodies and the opposition is likely to mount in the days ahead.
Point of View
Not merely a political one. The Shinde camp's framing of the episode as 'emotional' and 'misdirected' sidesteps the core problem: an elected representative used explicit language and issued physical threats to reporters doing their job. The opposition's demand for a murder FIR based on Patil's own alleged statements raises the stakes considerably. If police do not act, it sets a troubling precedent about accountability for elected officials in Maharashtra's increasingly fractious political climate.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sanjay Dina Patil say to journalists?
Patil was caught on camera telling reporters, 'If you come back to me again, I will have you beaten up,' and added that they could complain to the Commissioner — statements he made in front of police personnel. He also allegedly claimed in a separate incident that his family had 'had five people killed' and threatened critics with the 'hospital or the cemetery.'
Why did the incident happen?
Reporters were questioning Patil about his recent switch from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena when he lost his composure. The confrontation escalated rapidly, with Patil directing abusive language and physical threats at the journalists.
What action has Sanjay Raut demanded?
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has written to the Police Commissioner demanding a murder case against Patil, citing the MP's alleged claim of having 'killed 5 people before' as a self-confessed admission. Raut also cited an alleged threat involving a bomb and home intrusion.
How has the Shinde Sena responded?
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said he spoke to Patil and advised him to express regret if his words hurt media sentiments. Senior leader Sanjay Shirsat apologised on the party's behalf, calling it an emotional outburst rather than an intentional threat.
What have journalist bodies said about the incident?
Multiple journalists' associations have formally condemned Patil's conduct, demanding a public apology from the MP and action under applicable press protection norms. The incident has intensified debate over the treatment of media by elected representatives in Maharashtra.
