Fri Sep 05 07:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Maharashtra Deputy CM Pawar Denies Obstructing Law After Video Surfaces of Him Ordering IPS Officer to Halt Action**
**Mumbai, India** – A controversy has erupted in Maharashtra after a video went viral allegedly showing Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar ordering a female IPS officer to stop an operation. The video purportedly shows Pawar speaking on the phone with IPS officer Anjana Krishna, who was reportedly acting against illegal excavation in Solapur district. Opposition parties have accused Pawar of obstructing the officer from carrying out her duty and enabling illegal activities.
In the video, Pawar can be heard telling the officer that he is the Deputy Chief Minister and ordering her to stop the action. Reports suggest the officer initially did not recognize Pawar and questioned why he hadn’t called her directly, leading to a heated exchange.
Facing mounting criticism, Deputy CM Pawar issued a statement on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, denying any intention to interfere with law enforcement. “Regarding the videos circulating on social media concerning my conversation with a police officer in Solapur district, I want to clarify that my intention was not to interfere with the enforcement of the law, but to ensure that the situation there remained calm and did not escalate,” Pawar stated.
He further emphasized his respect for the police force and for female officers who perform their duties with courage and integrity. “For me, the rule of law is paramount,” he added.
Pawar also affirmed his commitment to transparent governance and strict action against illegal activities, including the illegal excavation of sand, soil, and rock.
While Pawar claims his intention was to de-escalate the situation, the opposition is likely to continue to press the issue, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and abuse of power. The incident has sparked a debate about the relationship between politicians and law enforcement in Maharashtra.