Sanjay Raut demands action against Sanjay Dina Patil for threatening journalists on camera
Synopsis
A rebel MP's on-camera threats against journalists have exploded into a full-scale political confrontation in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut is demanding an SIT, police action, and accountability from the Shinde government — framing the episode as a symptom of a broader collapse in law and democratic norms under the current dispensation.
Key Takeaways
Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on 26 June demanded police action against rebel MP Sanjay Dina Patil for allegedly threatening journalists on camera.
Patil recently defected from Shiv Sena (UBT) to join Deputy CM Eknath Shinde's Sena faction.
Raut called for an SIT probe and urged the Mumbai Police Commissioner to act without political bias.
Raut invoked a historical comparison, noting that even past disputes with press figures like Nikhil Wagle never involved death threats.
The Shinde camp counter-alleged that Raut uses abusive language; Raut rejected the charge and defended calling defectors 'traitors.' Mumbai Police had not announced formal action against Patil as of Thursday evening.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday, 26 June launched a sharp attack on rebel MP Sanjay Dina Patil, demanding immediate police action after Patil allegedly abused and threatened to assault journalists on camera. The incident has triggered a political storm in Maharashtra, with Raut accusing the state government of turning a blind eye to escalating intimidation against the press.
The Incident and Its Fallout
Sanjay Dina Patil, who recently defected from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) to join Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction, sparked widespread public outrage after his aggressive on-camera outburst against media personnel. The video of the alleged threats reportedly spread rapidly, drawing condemnation from press bodies and political leaders across the state.
Raut alleged that Maharashtra is currently witnessing an unprecedented surge in threats, extortions, and contract killings under government protection. He said that if journalists are being threatened and the state's Chief Minister is 'simply laughing it off,' it amounts to a deeply serious failure of governance.
Raut's Broader Critique of Press Freedom
Raut invoked the constitutional importance of a free press, asserting that the judiciary and the media are foundational pillars of democracy. He urged journalists across the country to unite and raise their voices against such intimidation.
Drawing a historical parallel, Raut recalled that even during a fierce dispute years ago between the then-undivided Shiv Sena and Nikhil Wagle, the then-editor of Mahanagar, no death threats were ever issued. He questioned the deterioration in political conduct, noting that journalists had once gathered outside Shiv Sena Bhavan to demand action following an assault — a show of solidarity he called for again.
Demand for Police Action and SIT Probe
Raut demanded that the Mumbai Police and the state's Home Minister act without political bias. He condemned language that, according to him, referenced 'throwing bombs' or 'sending people to the cemetery' — remarks he said were tarnishing Maharashtra's reputation. 'Our Maharashtra was never like this,' he said.
He further called for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the breakdown in political and legal accountability. Raut also directed criticism at Mumbai's Police Commissioner, stating that if a lawmaker refuses to respect the law, the police must compel compliance.
Counter-Allegations and Raut's Rebuttal
The Shinde camp countered by alleging that Raut himself frequently uses abusive language. Raut dismissed this, challenging his critics to cite a single instance of him using an abusive word against a professional. He maintained that calling defectors 'traitors' — or gaddars in Marathi — is factually accurate, not abusive, and that no euphemism is appropriate for political betrayal.
He also addressed Patil's past claim that his family 'killed five people' in retaliation after his father was attacked, asserting that the incident was not a political or Shiv Sena matter but a deadly conflict between two local illegal liquor den operators. Raut said they hold a full record of the circumstances.
What Comes Next
With the Mumbai Police yet to announce any formal action against Patil as of Thursday, pressure is mounting on the Maharashtra government to respond. Press freedom organisations are expected to weigh in, and the incident is likely to become a flashpoint in the ongoing rivalry between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Shinde faction ahead of upcoming political contests in the state.
Point of View
It signals that political cover is being read as legal cover. Raut's demand for an SIT is as much a political manoeuvre as a press-freedom stand, but the underlying concern is legitimate: the institutional response to threats against the media in Maharashtra has been conspicuously slow. The Shinde government's silence will be watched as closely as the original incident.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sanjay Dina Patil allegedly do to journalists?
Sanjay Dina Patil allegedly abused and threatened to assault journalists on camera, triggering widespread outrage in Maharashtra. The incident was recorded and reportedly circulated widely, prompting political and civil society condemnation.
Who is Sanjay Dina Patil and which party does he belong to?
Sanjay Dina Patil is a Member of Parliament who recently defected from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) to join Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction. His defection was already a point of contention before the journalist incident.
What action has Sanjay Raut demanded over the incident?
Raut has demanded that the Mumbai Police and the state Home Minister act without political bias against Patil. He has also called for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the broader breakdown in political accountability in Maharashtra.
How did the Shinde camp respond to Raut's criticism?
The Shinde camp counter-alleged that Raut himself frequently uses abusive language in public discourse. Raut rejected this, challenging critics to cite a single instance of him abusing a professional, and defended his use of the word 'traitor' for defectors as factually accurate.
What is the significance of this incident for press freedom in Maharashtra?
The incident has raised serious concerns about press freedom in Maharashtra, with Raut arguing that the state is witnessing an unprecedented rise in threats and intimidation against journalists. The absence of immediate police action has amplified fears that political affiliation is shielding the accused.
