Mumbai: Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA from Buldhana, Sanjay Gaikwad, sparked controversy after allegedly assaulting a canteen staff member at the MLA Guest House in Mumbai over poor food quality. In the video that is taking rounds on the internet showcases the Shiv Sena MLA showering punches and slaps at the kitchen staff for allegedly serving stale food.

Sources indicated that Gaikwad, dissatisfied with his meal, confronted canteen staff, claiming the food was stale and even likening it to poison. He expressed frustration, stating this was not the first time he had raised concerns about the food quality at the guest house, which houses many MLAs from rural areas.

A viral video shows Gaikwad verbally and physically confronting a canteen contractor at the Akashwani MLA residence after he complained about the stale food. Gaikwad’s actions, including kicking and punching a kitchen staff over the stale dal, reflect a broader trend of contentious behavior among politicians in Maharashtra. He criticized the canteen’s food quality and insisted the dal served was unacceptable, saying some diners felt nauseated after consuming it.

According to a few reports on the situation state that after Gaikwad reacted violently towards the worker, other associates allegedly joined him, further assaulting the canteen staff.

MLA Sanjay Gaikwad is a known offender and has a history of making controversial remarks, including comments regarding famous historical figures. This incident follows a separate episode where Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers assaulted a shopkeeper for not speaking Marathi. As the footage circulates, it has reignited discussions about the culture of impunity enjoyed by political figures in Maharashtra, amid a string of recent controversies involving such politicians.

Maharashtra has been facing a political language war for months. Mumbai has particularly been experiencing violent crimes, primarily from politicians targeting individuals belonging to lower-income groups or migrants. The debate intensified when, at the victory rally organised by MNS-Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS leader Raj Thackeray endorsed the behavior described as hitting them but not recording it.

The State Police have seized 28,302 kg of drugs worth Rs 153.25 crore in 5001 cases registered under the NDPS Act 1985, in which 4481 accused have been arrested. This information was given in the state assembly on Tuesday in a written reply.

To control the trade and proliferation of drugs, separate sections of narcotics control have been set up at almost all the police stations. A Task Force has also been set up with 346 posts sanctioned by the state government in March this year, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said in this reply.

Replying to the question asked by Kashinath Date, Prashant Thakur and others, the CM said an awareness campaign was undertaken in the month of June through posters, banners, and street plays at schools, colleges, railway stations and prominent locations in cities.

Action against 37,149 persons has been taken by the Police between January to April this year for selling banned gutka and tobacco products at paan shops and other stalls. A penal amount worth Rs 44.40 lakh has been recovered in the cases, the CM has informed.

The Police have been alert in such cases. In a city like Ulhasnagar, drugs worth 77.60 lakh were confiscated from 183 accused during the current year. Action against matka and gambling has resulted in arrests of 326 persons involving the amount of Rs 6.60 lakh, the reply says.

Between January to May this year, 247 cases have been registered across the state in which e-cigarettes worth 4.33 crores have been confiscated. The e-cigarettes are banned under the Electronics Cigarettes Prevention Act 2019.

In the month of May, 11 cases were registered in the cities of Mumbai, Nagpur, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Thane. 

Mumbai: A 34-year-old motorcycle rider was killed after being hit by the SUV allegedly driven by the son of BJP MLA Suresh Dhas in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district, police said on Tuesday.

No arrest has been made in connection with the incident which took place at Supa on Ahilyanagar-Pune Road at around 10:30 pm on Monday, said an official.

Sagar Dhas (26), son of Ashti MLA Suresh Dhas, was heading towards Pune from Ahilyanagar in an MG Gloster, he said.

Nitin Shelke, a resident of Parner, was crossing the Pune-Ahilyanagar road on his motorbike near Jategaon junction when the speeding SUV hit him, as per the complaint filed by the victim’s brother.

Sagar Dhas, who was with a friend, was allegedly driving the SUV, the police official said.

Shelke sustained serious injuries and fell unconscious after the accident. Some local persons took him to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead before admission.

An accidental death case was registered at Supa police station and further probe is underway, he said.