Mumbai, Oct 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hours after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' directives to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, a three-tier Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to thoroughly investigate the authenticity and background of the audio clip brought to light by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, which claimed that Rs 500 crore was paid to him through MP Shrikant Shinde (son of DCM Eknath Shinde).
The SIT is headed by Shailesh Balkawde, Additional Commissioner of Police (CP), and its members include Vijaykant Sagar, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Bajrang Bansode, Deputy Commissioner of Police.
The SIT will examine the core sources behind the recording, technical details, and potential conspiracies. The SIT will conduct a complete forensic examination of the audio clips released by Manoj Jarange Patil to verify their authenticity, trace the origin of the audio recordings, and identify all voices heard in the multi-person conversations.
Probe directives were issued after formal demands were raised by Shiv Sena leaders, BJP representatives, and activist Jarange Patil himself.
Jarange Patil has strongly dismissed claims that the audio is AI-generated, maintaining that it is 100 per cent authentic.
Challenging the state leadership, he stated, "Do not just play political games by forming an SIT; you need to go to the very root of this investigation."
He raised questions over whether the leak and underlying conspiracy were aimed at politically destroying Eknath Shinde's career or triggering internal friction between Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Chief Minister Fadnavis.
Jarange Patil has supported an independent investigation, demanding that the financial origins and real masterminds behind the smear campaign be exposed.
Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has written a formal letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into the source and destination of the alleged Rs 500 crore, questioning why strict central action shouldn't be taken when smaller amounts previously triggered major probes.
The controversy has further intensified the friction between the ruling coalition and the opposition. Senior Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam alleged a conspiracy involving certain leaders to politically target Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Kadam launched a direct attack on the BJP during a press conference. He questioned whether certain elements within the BJP were attempting to marginalise Eknath Shinde due to his rising popularity.
He asked who within the ruling alliance was working against the Chief Minister, demanding clarity from the BJP leadership.
To back his claims, Kadam circulated photographs showing BJP leader Prasad Lad and Manoj Jarange Patil dining together.
He further claimed to have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, seeking a high-level probe into the matter.
State Industries Minister and Shinde Sena leader Uday Samant echoed these concerns in Kolhapur, alleging that individuals linked to the BJP were involved in the audio clip conversation.
He claimed the recording was part of a deliberate conspiracy to defame Eknath Shinde, who had consistently handled the Maratha reservation issue with sensitivity and supported the community's demands.
The BJP hit back firmly against the accusations. Senior BJP leader and MLC Pravin Darekar warned that his party would not tolerate baseless allegations from Ramdas Kadam.
"We are partners in the ruling alliance. It does not fit into Maharashtra’s political culture to stay in the government and continuously attack your own ally," he said.
He asked why the BJP would attempt to politically undermine DCM Eknath Shinde, noting that the BJP had fully backed him for the chief ministership following the previous elections.
Darekar warned that the BJP would not remain silent if painted as the villain in manufactured controversies. BJP MLC Prasad Lad also cautioned Kadam against making statements that could fracture the Mahayuti coalition.
CM Devendra Fadnavis questioned why conversations from over two years ago surfaced at this junction, assuring that the investigation will uncover the full truth behind the motives and individuals involved.
The BJP further alleged that the audio clip is a fabricated, AI-generated script engineered by Sanjay Raut from a war room to deliberately defame the ruling alliance and fuel internal discord.
With the SIT now taking over the forensic and criminal investigation, all eyes are on Mumbai Police to uncover the actual truth behind the audio tape.
Source: IANS
About Gopi
Gopi Adusumilli is a Programmer. He is the editor of SocialNews.XYZ and President of AGK Fire Inc.
He enjoys designing websites, developing mobile applications and publishing news articles on current events from various authenticated news sources.
When it comes to writing he likes to write about current world politics and Indian Movies. His future plans include developing SocialNews.XYZ into a News website that has no bias or judgment towards any.
He can be reached at gopi@socialnews.xyz