In a major development, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has received a fresh death threat through a tweet, saying that the 83-year-old leader would meet the same as rationalist Narendra Dabholkar who was shot dead in Pune in August 2013. On a day when Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and leader Sanjay Raut also received a similar death threat through his MLA-brother Sunil Raut, an unfazed Pawar dismissed the death threat handed to him, by saying: “I have full faith in law and order machinery. I do not bother about this kind of threats. ... Every citizen has a right to express his or her views on any subject. No one can silence the voice of anyone through this kind of threats”. Pawar’s daughter and MP Supriya Sule went along with a delegation of NCP functionaries and met Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar demanded “strict action” in the matter.
“MP Supriyatai Sule and the delegation of NCP today met the Mumbai Police Commissioner and demanded immediate action regarding the death threat received by NCP President Sharad Pawar Saheb on social media. At this time, the Xerox of the screenshot of the threat received on social media was given to the Commissioner of Police,” the NCP tweeted.
Taking serious cogisance of the death threat received by Pawar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said his Government has taken serious note of the death threat to NCP chief Sharad Pawar and he has given instructions for a probe. His deputy Devendra Fadnavis said such threats will not be tolerated, while Mumbai Police registered a first information report (FIR) over the threat, Pune cops reviewed security at Pawar’s residence in Shivajinagar area of the city. Meanwhile, two people were detained here after Sanjay Raut on Friday said he and his MLA brother Sunil Raut had received death threat calls and asked the Maharashtra Government to take them seriously.
Both the persons were apprehended from the eastern suburb of Govandi, a senior official said. Police are awaiting an official complaint in the case. Once the complaint is filed, the two will be placed under arrest, said the official.
Sanjay Raut also said that NCP chief Sharad Pawar getting a threat on social media was a serious issue, claiming that moves were afoot to instill fear in the Opposition. It may be recalled that 69-old rationalist and anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead from a point blank range by two motor-bicycle riding gunmen, while he was taking a morning walk on the Omkareshwar bridge located in the heart of Pune, on August 20, 2013.
“The Government should take it (threat to him and his brother) seriously and not me. The Government wants such threats. The matter is with the police and they will have to look into it,” he told reporters.
“Sunil Raut received a threat. I didn’t file any complaint. We are not worried about it,” claimed Raut, who has received threats in the past as well.
Meanwhile, calling Pawar a “senior respected leader”, Shinde said police authorities have been asked to beef up Pawar’s security if needed.
For the past few days, the Chief Minister said, deliberate attempts are being made to create tension in the State.
“Ever since the Supreme Court verdict (in Shiv Sena-related issues), some people are upset due to which attempts are being made to spoil the atmosphere in the State,” he said.