The decision followed BJP MLA Nitesh Rane’s point of information in the assembly, when he expressed outrage at the terror convict’s presence at Badgujar’s party.The gangster is serving life term for his role in the 1993 Bombay blasts that killed 257 persons.
Asserting he had photos and videos of the party, Rane said Salim Kutta also planned to blow up Sena Bhavan in Mumbai and assassinate party’s founder Balasaheb Thackeray. “But Sena UBT‘s key member is seen grooving with a gangster, who is responsible for unleashing terror. The government must find out Badgujar’s godfather and protector. His CDR records must be analysed. If such dreaded criminals are partying openly, it creates doubts on the safety of common citizens. Shiv Sena (UBT) claims to be a Hindutva party, but its senior members are partying with Dawood’s aides,” he said.
Unable to recall meeting Kutta in prison: Badgujar
Admitting that the issue was serious, Speaker Rahul Narwekar sought a reply from PWD minister Dada Bhuse, who said Salim Kutta was the sharpshooter of India’s No. 1 enemy Dawood Ibrahim and was involved in the conspiracy to blow up Sena Bhavan.
“Sudhakar Badgujar, who came to Nashik for survival, is today a millionaire. Partying with gangsters is a subversive act. He’s a small fish and we need to find out whether he’s involved in anti-India activities. The money trail that helped him build a farmhouse should also be probed. The home minister should immediately order an inquiry to prevent destruction of evidence,” he said.
Badgujar, however, denied links with Salim Kutta, saying “I am a public figure and I meet many people. I cannot recall meeting Salim at any party. I am also unaware if the party was held in Nashik or any other city.”
“The authenticity of the video clips needs to be ascertained, but I am ready to face an investigation. The ruling dispensation is trying to malign me and my party. I was in Nashik Central Prison for 15 days in 2016 and I am unaware if Salim Kutta was lodged in the same prison. There could have been blast convicts in jail, but I am not aware of it,” he said in Nashik.
Senior BJP leader Ashish Shelar said the Maha Vikas Aghadi government had patronised a decadent culture after taking over reins in 2019.
“It’s unfortunate that those making tall claims of being a Hindutva party are indulging in such acts. Dancing with terror convicts bolsters terrorism in the country,” he said.
Replying to their demands, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said points raised by Nitesh Rane, Shelar and Bhuse were serious and any criminal cannot party if he was on parole. “SIT will probe Badgujar’s links with Dawood’s accomplice. The team will also zero in on those protecting politicians like Badgujar. Those sheltering blast convicts have lost sensitivity. SIT would work in a time-bound manner and the guilty will be punished,” he said.
About Post Author
