new delhi, Sept 5
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar on Friday upheld his respect for police officers after a purported viral video surfaced online showing him allegedly pressuring a woman Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in Solapur district, who was involved in a crackdown on accused involved in an illegal sand mining case.
‘My intention was not to interfere with law enforcement’: NCP’s Ajit Pawar on allegations of halting police crckdown in illegal sand mining case
In a post on X, Pawar said his intention was never to interrupt the police work but to make sure that the situation in Solapur “remained calm and did not escalate further.”
“My attention has been drawn to certain videos circulating regarding my conversation with police officials in Solapur. Let me state clearly that my intention was not to interfere with law enforcement but to ensure that the situation on the ground remained calm and did not escalate further.
I have the highest respect for our police force and its officers, including the women officers who serve with distinction and courage and I value the rule of law above all,” he wrote.
Pawar also made sure of strict action against illegal sand mining, adding, “I remain firmly committed to transparent governance and to ensuring that every illegal activity, including sand mining, is dealt with strictly as per the law.” The remarks came after a viral video surfaced from Kurdu village in Madha tehsil of Solapur, where IPS officer Anjana Krishna had gone on August 21 to investigate complaints of illegal soil excavation for road construction.
Pawar came under fire on Thursday after the opposition accused him of allegedly trying to prevent an IPS officer from taking action against an NCP member in an illegal sand mining case.
The opposition claimed that he attempted to stop IPS officer Anjana Krishna of Solapur rural police from taking action.
The opposition pointed to a video clip of an alleged cellphone conversation between Pawar and Krishna that went viral on social media.
The purported video, reportedly recorded a few days ago in Kurdu village of Karmala tehsil in Solapur, shows Krishna —posted as sub-divisional police officer in Karmala with Solapur rural police—arriving to take action against illegal murum (sand) mining.
The opposition alleged that an NCP member accused in the illegal mining case, called Pawar and urged him to speak to Krishna.
The video, recorded in an open field, purportedly captures Pawar’s voice allegedly instructing the officer to halt the action.
As per media reports, Madha MP from NCP (SP) Dhairyasheel Mohite Patil told a media outlet that after the video went viral, he gathered more information and found that local villagers had complained against the sand mining, following which the IPS officer, along with a district administration team, reached the spot. He alleged that a local NCP member present there, allegedly called Pawar and made the officer speak to him to stop the action. Patil further claimed that the voice in the video instructed the officer to halt the proceedings, saying: “Tell the tehsildar that the Deputy CM himself has directed so.”
In the same video, the MP added, a person could be heard allegedly threatening the IPS officer after she asked him to call her directly for authentication. Quoting the clip, Mohite Patil alleged: “Are you asking me to call you directly? I will take action against you. You want to see me? Give me your number, I will call you on WhatsApp, and I hope you will recognise my face. You have the audacity? Give me your number, I will call you,” as per media reports.
