What Led Ajit Pawar to Reprimand a Woman IPS Officer?

Mumbai, Sep 5 (NationPress) Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stirred controversy on Friday as a video surfaced showing him rebuking a woman IPS officer engaged in her official duties concerning the unlawful extraction of ‘murrum’ soil in Solapur district.

This incident unfolded in Kurdu Village of Madha taluka a few days prior, where Sub-Divisional Police Officer Anjana Krishna, an IPS officer, was responding to allegations of illegal murrum excavation—a crucial material in road construction.

During the video, Ajit Pawar can be heard questioning the woman officer about her request for his phone number.

Pawar allegedly contacted Anjana Krishna, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Karmala, using the phone of an NCP worker, but the officer failed to recognize his voice.

He instructed her to halt operations against the illegal excavation. The video reveals the officer expressing confusion over the identity of the Deputy Chief Minister.

“This is the Deputy Chief Minister speaking. Cease your action. I'm instructing you to stop. If not, I will take action against you,” Pawar asserted.

Despite his directives, the officer maintained that she was addressing the complaints regarding illegal mining and fulfilling her official responsibilities.

“How am I to know you are the Deputy Chief Minister? Please contact me through my phone directly,” she replied.

This response provoked Ajit Pawar, who retorted, “One moment, I will take action against you.”

“I am speaking to you directly. You’re telling me to call you directly. You don’t grasp this much. Can you see me (on video call)? I’ll share my number with you… Do you even recognize my face? How dare you speak to me like this? Provide your number, and I will call you directly. Are you unable to recognize my face? Action will be taken against you,” warned Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Nonetheless, Ajit Pawar later stated on X that he holds the police force in the highest regard.

“My aim was not to meddle in law enforcement but to ensure the situation on the ground remained stable and did not escalate. I have immense respect for our police force and its officers, including those who serve with valor and dedication. I prioritize adherence to the law above all else, and I remain steadfast in my commitment to transparent governance and addressing illegal activities like sand mining strictly as per the law,” claimed the Deputy Chief Minister in his post.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut criticized Ajit Pawar, accusing him of shielding wrongdoers and asserting that he has no business remaining in the government.

“Where is your discipline? He is chastising her (the IPS officer) to protect the miscreants of his party,” he remarked.

Raut stated that the illegal excavation of 'murrum' soil results in losses to the exchequer.

“You are robbing the entire state. Ministers ought to be ashamed,” Raut added.

Anti-corruption advocate Anjali Damania also expressed grave concern over the incident, stating that entering the IPS is motivated by a desire to serve the nation.

“Anjana Krishna believed she could halt all this illegal activity and goondaism. Little did she realize that these goons have a boss above them, and any obstructing their operations becomes a target. This is why our tehsildars, collectors, SPs, and others often lack the bravery to act against them,” Damania explained.

In response, the NCP minimized the controversy, with state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare asserting that it reflected Ajit Pawar’s “typical tone” when contacting the police officer for public service.

“He did not intend to halt the action entirely. Ajit Pawar is recognized for his straightforward communication and does not condone illegal activities. Perhaps he aimed to pause the action temporarily to de-escalate the situation,” Tatkare claimed.

He further contended that Ajit Pawar’s role involves communicating with relevant officers to resolve issues brought to him by party members or the public.

“In this instance, after party workers clarified the nature of the work and the circumstances prompting its initiation, Ajit Pawar contacted the police officer and requested her to hold off on proceeding until he spoke with local farmers,” he added.

Tatkare also mentioned that it is the responsibility of ministers and elected representatives to engage with concerned officers for issue resolution and to expedite work.

“In this case, the work was initiated following due approval from the gram panchayat due to road damage,” Tatkare noted.

NCP chief spokesperson Anand Paranjape claimed that the issue has been exaggerated.