Shiv Sena UBT challenges Fadnavis on parole ban for sex offenders
Synopsis
Shiv Sena UBT's Saamana editorial has turned Maharashtra CM Fadnavis's parole-ban directive into a political flashpoint, demanding data on parole-linked crimes, faster implementation of the Shakti Act, and accountability for convicted figures allegedly shielded by the BJP at both state and central levels.
Key Takeaways
Shiv Sena (UBT) criticised CM Devendra Fadnavis over his directive to deny parole to convicted sexual offenders, calling it rhetoric over policy.
The row was triggered by the assault and murder of a 3.5-year-old girl in Nasarpur, Pune .
The party's mouthpiece Saamana demanded government data on crimes committed by offenders on parole.
The editorial flagged the delayed implementation of the Shakti Act , calling it more urgent than women's reservation debates.
Allegations were levelled that Dera Sacha Sauda chief received parole 15 times , often coinciding with elections in Punjab and Haryana .
Shiv Sena (UBT) demanded uniform parole standards across state and central governments.
Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday, 7 May sharply criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for proposing to deny parole to convicted sexual offenders as a measure to curb rising crimes against women, questioning whether the directive amounts to substantive policy or political posturing.
The Trigger: Nasarpur Assault Case
The criticism comes in the wake of the brutal assault and murder of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in Nasarpur, Pune, which has intensified public outrage over women's safety in Maharashtra. CM Fadnavis responded by stating he had issued directives to halt parole grants for those convicted of sexual crimes. The Thackeray camp, however, in an editorial published in the party's mouthpiece Saamana, argued that such statements have historically faded from public memory once the news cycle moves on.
Key Demands: Data and the Shakti Act
The Saamana editorial demanded that the government release data on how many crimes were actually committed by offenders who were out on parole at the time. It noted that several high-profile cases involved perpetrators who allegedly enjoyed
Point of View
However well-intentioned, lands in a credibility gap that the opposition is now exploiting with precision. The Saamana editorial's demand for parole-linked crime data is a legitimate accountability ask — one the government has not yet answered. The Shakti Act delay is the more damning charge: a law specifically designed to address crimes against women has been on the shelf while the political class debates reservation optics. The BJP's central-level associations with controversial figures — whether the Dera Sacha Sauda chief or Kuldeep Sengar — give the opposition a ready-made contradiction to deploy every time a state leader invokes the rule of law.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Shiv Sena UBT criticising CM Fadnavis over the parole ban?
Shiv Sena (UBT) has questioned whether CM Fadnavis's directive to deny parole to sexual offenders is genuine policy or political optics. The party's mouthpiece Saamana argued that such statements tend to fade once public attention shifts, and demanded concrete data on parole-linked crimes.
What is the Shakti Act and why is it relevant here?
The Shakti Act is Maharashtra legislation designed to provide enhanced security for women and stricter punishment for sexual offenders. Shiv Sena (UBT) has flagged its delayed implementation as a more pressing concern than current debates on women's reservation.
What allegations did Saamana make about the BJP and convicted individuals?
The Saamana editorial alleged that the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, convicted of rape and murder, has been granted parole 15 times — often coinciding with elections in Punjab and Haryana — and allegedly campaigns for the BJP. It also cited the case of Kuldeep Sengar, whose sentence was reportedly suspended, and alleged that individuals accused of crimes join the BJP to receive candidacies or ministerial posts.
What is the Nasarpur case that sparked this controversy?
A three-and-a-half-year-old girl was brutally assaulted and murdered in Nasarpur, Pune, intensifying public outcry over women's safety in Maharashtra and prompting CM Fadnavis to announce the parole directive.
What does Shiv Sena UBT demand from the Maharashtra government?
Shiv Sena (UBT) has demanded that the government release data on crimes committed by offenders on parole, fast-track the Shakti Act, and ensure that the same parole standards it claims to apply in Maharashtra are enforced at the central government level as well.
