Mumbai, March 23 (NationPress) In a tense session on Monday, the Maharashtra Legislative Council saw Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe call for the immediate suspension of Satara Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Doshi. This action came after serious allegations emerged that police personnel had physically assaulted and injured Satara Guardian Minister Shambhuraj Desai during the elections for the Satara Zilla Parishad President and Vice President.

“Traditionally, the word of a member, particularly a Minister, is treated as the truth in this House. I am directing the government to suspend the Satara SP and all officers involved in the manhandling, which disrupted the democratic voting process,” Deputy Chairperson Gorhe declared.

She added that the government should have initiated an inquiry the previous day, and since that did not occur, it was the legislature's responsibility to ensure accountability.

As per statements made in the House, turmoil broke out during the elections for the Zilla Parishad President and Vice President. Despite the claims of the majority from Shiv Sena and NCP, the BJP succeeded in winning these elections.

Shambhuraj Desai, the Satara Guardian Minister, recounted his distressing experience, revealing that in his 40-year political career, he had never encountered such aggression. Minister Desai claimed that as he was guiding 33 members to the polling booth—following an alliance between Shiv Sena and NCP—they were confronted by over 100 police officers in plain clothes just 10 meters from the voting area. The police allegedly acted on a “false complaint” regarding member abduction.

“As a State Minister, I was forcibly pulled by the police, resulting in severe injuries to my hand. If a minister isn’t safe, what does that say about the law and order in our state?” he questioned during the Council session.

The ruling party MLAs expressed their outrage in support of Minister Desai. NCP Minister Makrand Patil, who was alongside Desai during the elections, went further by demanding not just suspension but outright dismissal of the SP, accusing him of behaving like a “servant of a particular political party.”

Shiv Sena MLCs Manisha Kayande and Vikram Kale insisted on an immediate statement from the Chief Minister. Taking prompt action, Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe ordered the suspension of Satara SP Tushar Doshi and all police officers involved in the confrontation.

The Pune Divisional Commissioner has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Furthermore, she instructed that all CCTV footage of the occurrence be seized and secured to prevent any tampering with evidence. Industry Minister Uday Samant was given the responsibility of ensuring the rapid execution of these directives.

In response to the Sena and NCP, BJP Minister Jaikumar Gore, who led the BJP's Operation Lotus in Satara, opposed Doshi’s suspension. “Before making such an order, one must also consider the reality. During the ZP chairperson elections, only ZP councillors should be present inside the building. There are no distinct rules for ministers or MLAs. Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 workers infiltrated the ZP building. The police have the duty to maintain law and order. Suspending an IPS officer without factual reports is unjust,” he argued.

The state Assembly was also rocked by this issue when Shiv Sena MLA Arjun Khotkar called for severe action. Minister Desai provided a detailed and unsettling account of the events to the House, asserting that while two members, Sandeep Mandve and Anil Desai, had cases against them, they were present at the meeting. Additionally, NCP member Bapusaheb Shinde, who was reportedly “abducted,” was actually with the group voluntarily. Minister Desai maintained that over 100 police officers in plain clothes were present.

“If they intended to make arrests, why didn’t they do so at the meeting venue? They didn’t dare to touch our members there because 2,000 Shiv Sainiks were present,” he stated. The situation escalated as they moved toward the polling hall.

“Four policemen seized my arms, while two others grabbed members and forcefully pulled them away. MP Nitin Kaka Patil was shoved down the stairs,” the Minister recounted. Desai depicted the scene as “Mughlai” (tyrannical), noting that his clothing and that of member Sandeep Mandve were stained with blood during the altercation.

“The SP behaved like a domestic servant. I am an elected representative of 400,000 people, and as a State Minister, I was treated with such disdain. I demand the immediate suspension and removal of these officers,” he implored before the House.

Minister Desai specifically cited officers Tushar Doshi (Superintendent of Police, Satara), Inspector Devkar (Local Crime Branch), Assistant Inspector Garje (Local Crime Branch), and about 100 other police personnel involved in the scuffle for disciplinary action. He also called for an investigation by a retired High Court Judge.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde strongly condemned the incident, labeling it a “murder of democracy,” and emphasized the seriousness of the matter as members were allegedly obstructed from casting their votes despite prior directives to facilitate their participation.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that an inquiry into the incident would be conducted, assuring that appropriate actions would follow based on the findings.