Fadnavis orders forensic probe into Jarange’s ₹500-crore audio claim; Shinde denies payment

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, October 23, announced a forensic investigation into audio recordings released by Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, which allegedly refer to a ₹500-crore payment routed to him through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde.

The recordings have triggered a political dispute between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, both constituents of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. The alleged payment has not been independently verified, and the identities of the speakers in the recordings remain unconfirmed.

Fadnavis said the recordings would be examined using forensic methods to establish whose voices feature in them and determine their authenticity. He also questioned why the conversations had surfaced after a gap of around two years and what motivated their release now.

The investigation follows demands from leaders of both the BJP and Shiv Sena for the recordings to be examined, including checks for possible manipulation or the use of artificial intelligence.

What does the ₹500-crore audio clip allege?

The controversy escalated on Thursday, October 22, when Jarange-Patil played purported audio recordings at a press conference in Jalna district. He claimed they supported his allegation that efforts had been made to silence him and weaken the Maratha reservation agitation ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

In one recording, a woman is purportedly heard claiming that ₹500 crore had been given to Jarange-Patil through Shrikant Shinde, the son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The conversation allegedly discusses whether Jarange-Patil's political influence would benefit the BJP in the Assembly elections.

Other portions of the recordings reportedly contain discussions about countering Jarange-Patil's influence in the Marathwada region and shaping the political narrative around his agitation.

Jarange-Patil has denied receiving the alleged money. He has claimed that the controversy is part of an attempt to discredit him and undermine the movement for Maratha reservation.

The recordings have not been independently authenticated. Their contents, the identities of the speakers and the context of the alleged conversations remain subject to verification.

Eknath Shinde denies allegations

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has denied giving or receiving ₹500 crore in connection with Jarange-Patil or his agitation. He challenged the activist to substantiate his allegations and said an investigation should establish the facts.

The controversy follows Jarange-Patil's remarks at a Dussehra rally in Beed district earlier this week, where he alleged that Shinde had told BJP leaders that money had been paid to the activist to contain his agitation.

Jarange-Patil subsequently released the recordings after the allegations drew a public response from Shinde.

The Shiv Sena has questioned whether the recordings are genuine and whether they are being circulated to damage the reputations of Eknath Shinde and his son, Shrikant Shinde, and create friction within the ruling alliance.

Shiv Sena leaders demand investigation

Several Shiv Sena leaders have called for a forensic and cyber investigation into the recordings.

Industries Minister Uday Samant sought a detailed inquiry into the authenticity of the clips, the identities of the speakers and the circumstances surrounding their release. He also questioned whether the episode was intended to create divisions between the BJP and Shiv Sena.

Other party leaders, including Sanjay Shirsat, have called for the speakers to be identified and the allegations investigated.

A delegation of Shiv Sena leaders, including Sachin Ahir, Milind Deora and Rahul Shewale, met Fadnavis and sought an investigation. The party has also called for forensic examination and cyber investigation, with some leaders seeking the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The party's position is that the allegations involving Shrikant Shinde must be investigated and the authenticity of the recordings established before conclusions are drawn.

BJP leaders question authenticity of recordings

BJP leaders have also called for an investigation but have questioned whether the recordings are genuine or digitally manipulated.

BJP minister Ashish Shelar said the authenticity of the clips and the circumstances in which they were released needed to be examined. BJP functionaries whose names were raised in connection with the recordings have denied being involved in the alleged conversations.

Chandrashekhar Bawankule, a Maharashtra minister, asked Jarange-Patil to submit a formal complaint and provide evidence to the police or district administration. He said the government would ensure an impartial investigation if a complaint was filed.

The BJP has also raised questions about why the recordings surfaced after such a long gap and whether they could have been generated or altered using AI.

No forensic findings have yet established whether the clips are authentic or manipulated.

Ramdas Kadam questions Jarange-Patil’s role

Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam has questioned why Jarange-Patil waited until now to release the recordings, which are purportedly linked to conversations from 2024.

Kadam alleged that the controversy could be part of a political effort to create friction between the BJP and Shiv Sena. He also claimed that Jarange-Patil was colluding with the BJP against Eknath Shinde.

Kadam said he possessed a separate recording of an alleged confidential meeting involving Jarange-Patil and a BJP MLA, but did not publicly establish the contents or authenticity of that recording.

These remain Kadam's allegations and have not been independently verified.

(with inputs from media agencies)