BJP MLA held for shooting Shiv Sena man over land, says CM Shinde creating 'kingdom of criminals' in Maharashtra

Talking to a news channel before his arrest, Ganpat Gaikwad said that he used the firearm as his son was being beaten at the police station.

Kalyan MLA Ganpat Gaikwad File Photo

THANE: A Thane court on Saturday sent BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, arrested for allegedly firing on a local Shiv Sena leader Mahesh Gaikwad inside a police station, to police custody till February 14. The accused, along with two others, were produced before a court of First Class Judicial Magistrate in Ulhasnagar.

Ganpat Gaikwad (56), MLA of Kalyan in Thane district, admitted to opening fire, telling a news channel that he was provoked as his son was being beaten up in the presence of police during the incident that took place on Friday night.

The MLA opened fire on Mahesh Gaikwad, the Kalyan unit chief of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, inside the chamber of the senior inspector of Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar area on Friday night, police said. Ulhasnagar, 45 km from Mumbai, falls in the Kalyan parliamentary constituency represented by CM Shinde's son Shrikant Shinde.

Ganpat Gaikwad, along with his two associates - Harshal Kene (34) and Sandeep Sarwankar (45) - was arrested on Saturday for the crime. One Sandeep Anant Sarvankar and other associates were also booked for supporting Ganpat. They have been booked under Indian Penal Code sections, including 307 (attempt to murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

Mahesh Gaikwad was taken to a local hospital before being shifted to a private medical facility in Thane city. He underwent an emergency life-saving surgery and was on a ventilator, said the hospital in a statement on Saturday, adding that his condition was "currently critical" and the doctors were monitoring his vital signs.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had visited the injured Gaikwad at a hospital and termed the incident “highly unfortunate”. Deputy CM and home minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a high-level probe.

Talking to the news channel Zee24taas over the phone before his arrest, Ganpat Gaikwad said that he used the firearm as his son was being beaten at the police station. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to establish a "kingdom of criminals" in Maharashtra, he alleged.

According to Additional CP Shinde, Ganpat Gaikwad's son had come to the police station to lodge a complaint in connection with a land dispute when Mahesh Gaikwad arrived with his men. Later, Ganpat Gaikwad also reached the police station.

During an altercation between the MLA and the Sena leader, Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly fired shots at Mahesh Gaikwad inside the senior inspector's chamber, injuring him and his associate, the official said.

"Yes, I shot (him) myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten in front of the police inside the police station, what will I do," asked Ganpat Gaikwad while talking to a news channel. He claimed that he fired five rounds.

The BJP MLA also alleged that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to create a kingdom of criminals in Maharashtra. "If Eknath Shinde is the chief minister, only criminals will be born in Maharashtra. He has made a good person like me a criminal today," he said and described his action as self-defence.

The BJP and Shinde-led Shiv Sena belong to the ruling coalition in Maharashtra.

The BJP MLA also accused the CM's son and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde of putting up boards and grabbing credit for the work done by him.

"They have levelled a charge of corruption against me. How much money did Eknath Shinde make in that corruption, Shinde should tell," he said.

"I had told my seniors (in BJP) many times that these people are indulging in violence against my leaders," the lawmaker said.

Talking about the land dispute that led to the firing, Ganpat Gaikwad said he had bought a plot ten years ago. He said there were some legal issues but they won the matter in the court. However, Mahesh Gaikwad occupied it by force, he alleged.

The MLA said his son had gone to the police station in Ulhasnagar to lodge a complaint concerning the land. "I have no regrets at all. As a father, I can't tolerate if someone beats up my child, he added.

The lawmaker added, "Shinde saheb betrayed Uddhav (Thackeray) saheb, he will also betray the BJP. He owes me crores of rupees. Shinde should resign if Maharashtra is to be well-managed. This is my humble request to Devendra Fadnavis (deputy CM) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

(With inputs from Express News Service)