Shooter Maharashtra MLA booked under SC/ST Act | India News

KALYAN: Even as the opposition raises the pitch on what it described as a “gang war” in the BJP-Sena alliance, BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, who has been arrested for firing at Kalyan Shiv Sena chief Mahesh Gaikwad, has now been booked under the SC/ST Atrocities Act for alleged use of caste slurs before the clash.
A trigger for the confrontation between the MLA and Sena activist from the Shinde camp was a land dispute. Police sources said Madhumati Jadhav, who filed the complaint late on Saturday, was vying with Ganpat for ownership of a 5-acre plot in Dwarli village in Kalyan for several years.
A separate FIR has also been filed against 40 BJP workers for violating prohibitory orders by gathering outside an Ulhasnagar court on Saturday, while the MLA was being produced, and raising slogans. Gatherings in Ulhasnagar have been banned owing to the tension stemming from the firing.
Mahesh Gaikwad’s condition remains critical but stable, said Thane guardian minister Shambhuraj Desai.
Thane guardian minister Shambhuraj Desai told reporters on Sunday that Sena activist Mahesh Gaikwad who was shot by BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad had undergone a surgery. “He is currently in the ICU and has been placed on a ventilator.” He said Gaikwad was being given appropriate medical attention and treatment as recommended by the doctors, adding that police are conducting a thorough investigation.

Police sources said the clash between Ganpat and Mahesh took place after the latter was approached by Madhumati Jadhav’s family for help in a land dispute. Mahesh had allegedly vandalised the plot along with his supporters. This act prompted Ganpat’s son, Vaibhav, to approach Hill Line police to lodge an FIR, which subsequently led to the firing in the senior inspector’s cabin in the Ulhasnagar police station.
On December 29, 2023, the Konkan region commissioner had granted rights to the property to Ganpat’s partner, Pramod Raka. Jadhav filed a plea against the order before the revenue department. On December 31, Raka and Ganpat began building a boundary wall, which Jadhav’s family objected to, saying their plea was still pending before the revenue department.
In her complaint, Jadhav alleged that Ganpat and seven of his supporters abused her family members and used casteist slurs.
(With inputs from Nishikant Karlikar)
Watch CCTV: BJP’s Kalyan East MLA Ganpat Gaikwad fires on Shinde Sena Kalyan unit chief Mahesh Gaikwad; MVA attacks ruling alliance