The Maharashtra Legislative Council faced turmoil as Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe demanded the immediate suspension of Satara Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Doshi. This action followed accusations of police misconduct towards Satara Guardian Minister Shambhuraj Desai during the Zilla Parishad President and Vice President elections. Gorhe emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the democratic voting process by holding accountable those responsible for the alleged manhandling and obstruction.
The chaos unfolded during the election proceedings despite claims by the Shiv Sena and NCP, with the BJP emerging victorious. Minister Desai recounted being forcibly stopped by a large number of plainclothes police officers while escorting members to the polling booth. He expressed shock at the treatment he received, raising concerns about the state of law and order in the region. The incident sparked strong reactions from ruling party MLAs in support of Minister Desai.
Deputy Chairperson Gorhe’s directive for the immediate suspension of Satara SP Tushar Doshi and the initiation of a thorough investigation by the Divisional Commissioner of Pune underscored the gravity of the situation. The call for action extended to securing CCTV footage to prevent tampering and ensuring accountability for the alleged misconduct. The involvement of multiple political figures and the demand for a fair inquiry highlighted the intense scrutiny surrounding the events that transpired.
BJP Minister Jaikumar Gore defended the actions of the police, citing the need to maintain order during the election process. However, the demand for transparency and accountability persisted, with Minister Desai urging for the suspension and dismissal of the officers involved in the altercation. The incident, labeled as a “murder of democracy” by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, prompted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to announce a formal inquiry and pledge appropriate action based on the findings.
