Pune: Maval MP Shrirang Barne Accuses Pimpri-Chinchwad Police of Malpractices and ‘Hafta Vasooli’

Pimpri Chinchwad, 25th December 2024: Maval MP Shrirang Barne from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has made serious accusations against the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate (PCPC), which falls under the Maharashtra Home Ministry led by Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Barne, who is part of the Mahayuti alliance comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shinde Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has alleged malpractices, delayed complaint registrations, and mental stress imposed on complainants. He has also accused the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police of taking “protection money.”

MP Shrirang Barne met with Pimpri-Chinchwad Commissioner of Police Vinoy Kumar Choubey and submitted a letter requesting an investigation into the matter. These accusations come at a time when reports suggest Shiv Sena is vying for the Home Ministry in the Maharashtra cabinet expansion. Eknath Shinde, who served as Maharashtra’s CM during the last term, was demoted to Deputy CM following the elections, where BJP won 133 seats, Shinde Sena secured 59, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP claimed 41. With the BJP securing more seats, they staked their claim to the Chief Minister and Home Minister posts, ultimately forcing Shinde to step down.

Barne’s allegations involve severe accusations against the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police, which has been under the control of Fadnavis since 2022, as he has served as Home Minister since then. The letter details ongoing wrongdoings at various police stations in Pimpri-Chinchwad, where even ordinary citizens face delays in registering complaints. Many complainants, according to the letter, are subjected to mental harassment. Barne further claims that citizens from Hinjawadi, Wakad, Kalewadi, and Sangvi Police Stations have reported instances of police officers and constables routinely collecting protection money, with seniors allegedly demanding instalments.

The letter continues by stating that when a public representative inquires about a citizen’s complaint, they are unnecessarily harassed. Barne concludes by claiming that police officers are responsible for the rising crime rates in Pimpri-Chinchwad and urges action to be taken based on information gathered from the concerned police stations. He warns that if no action is taken, he will be forced to protest.