Fri Jan 31 15:02:35 UTC 2025: ## Maharashtra Forms SIT to Probe Alleged Plot to Arrest Fadnavis, Shinde Under Previous Government
**Mumbai, India –** The Maharashtra government has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of a conspiracy to falsely arrest former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during the tenure of the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray.
The announcement was made on Tuesday in the state assembly by senior cabinet minister Shambhuraje Desai. The SIT, headed by senior Mumbai police officer Satyanarayan Chaudhary, will be tasked with investigating claims made by businessman Sanjay Punamiya. Punamiya alleges that sting operation recordings reveal a former police officer discussing plans by the former Mumbai Police chief to arrest Fadnavis and Shinde in connection with a case against Punamiya himself. BJP MLC Pravin Darekar further fueled the allegations, presenting a pen drive purportedly containing the sting operation videos to the legislative council and demanding an investigation.
The SIT has been given 30 days to submit its report. However, the opposition has questioned the timing of the investigation, pointing out that the current government has been in power for over three years. The opposition dismisses the claims as politically motivated.
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