Fadnavis Arrest Plot Exposed: Did Maharashtra’s Top Cop Target Ex-DGP?

Fadnavis arrest 'plot': Maharashtra top cop pushed for case against ex-DGP

In a twist that reads like a political thriller, Maharashtra’s top cop is now at the center of a storm over an alleged Fadnavis arrest plot. Fresh reports reveal that the state’s current Director General of Police (DGP) personally advocated for legal proceedings against his predecessor, ex-DGP Sanjay Pandey, based on a controversial phone call transcript involving Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis .

This isn’t just bureaucratic infighting—it’s a high-stakes drama with deep political undertones, pitting the ruling Mahayuti alliance against its own law enforcement legacy. For citizens and political watchers alike, the case raises urgent questions: Was this a genuine pursuit of justice, or a calculated move to settle scores in a deeply polarized environment?

Table of Contents

The Alleged Plot Unfolds: What Was Said?

The controversy stems from a purported 2019 phone conversation between then-Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh and a person identified as “Rajesh.” In the call, Singh allegedly claimed that then-opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis had instructed him to frame ex-DGP Sanjay Pandey in a false case—a claim Fadnavis has always denied as baseless and politically motivated .

At the time, Singh was a key figure in the short-lived Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. After falling out with the Shiv Sena leadership, he went public with explosive allegations, including this so-called Fadnavis arrest plot. The audio clip became a weapon in Maharashtra’s brutal political warfare.

Who Is Sanjay Pandey? The Ex-DGP in the Crosshairs

Sanjay Pandey served as Maharashtra’s DGP during the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition government (2014–2019). Known for his no-nonsense approach, he oversaw critical operations, including counter-terrorism efforts and high-profile crime investigations. His tenure ended before the MVA came to power, but he remained a symbolic figure of the previous regime .

When the alleged phone call surfaced, Pandey filed a defamation suit and demanded a probe. He argued that the narrative was fabricated to tarnish his reputation and destabilize the opposition. Now, years later, the case has resurfaced—with the current DGP reportedly urging legal action against him based on the same unverified transcript.

Maharashtra Top Cop’s Role: Pushing for Prosecution

According to internal communications reviewed by media outlets, the incumbent DGP—appointed under the current Eknath Shinde-led government—has been pressing the state home department to initiate criminal proceedings against Pandey for “abetment” in the alleged plot .

This move is highly unusual. Typically, such decisions are made after thorough verification by investigative agencies, not driven by administrative pressure from the top. Critics argue this reflects a troubling trend: using the police machinery to target political adversaries or their allies, even from past administrations.

Key concerns include:

  • Lack of concrete evidence: The entire case hinges on a single, unauthenticated audio clip.
  • Timing: The push comes amid renewed BJP-NCP(Sharadchandra Pawar) tensions.
  • Chain of command: Is the DGP acting independently or on political instruction?

Political Fallout: BJP vs. Maha Vikas Aghadi Echoes

While the BJP is now part of the ruling alliance with Shinde’s Shiv Sena, the ghost of the 2019–2022 MVA era still haunts Maharashtra politics. Fadnavis, now Deputy CM, was the chief architect of the BJP’s comeback—and remains a prime target for his opponents.

The NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) have seized on the development, accusing the government of “weaponizing” the police. Meanwhile, BJP leaders dismiss the entire episode as a “dead conspiracy theory” being revived to distract from governance failures .

For more on how political rivalries shape law enforcement in India, see our deep dive on [INTERNAL_LINK:police-politics-india].

Beyond politics, this case strikes at the heart of institutional integrity. The Supreme Court of India has repeatedly emphasized that police forces must remain insulated from political interference . When a serving DGP champions a case based on flimsy, politically charged evidence, it erodes public trust.

Legal experts point out that for a criminal case to proceed, there must be a prima facie offense—not just hearsay. As one senior advocate noted, “You can’t build a prosecution on a third-hand phone call from five years ago without corroboration.”

What Happens Next?

The ball is now in the home department’s court. They must decide whether to:

  1. Approve a formal FIR and hand the case to an investigative agency,
  2. Reject the DGP’s recommendation due to lack of evidence,
  3. Order an independent inquiry into the authenticity of the audio clip.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Pandey’s legal team is preparing to challenge any coercive action in court, calling it “malicious prosecution.” The outcome could set a precedent for how historical political allegations are handled—or weaponized—in the future.

Conclusion: Power, Politics, and Police Accountability

The Fadnavis arrest plot saga is more than a political sideshow—it’s a litmus test for Maharashtra’s commitment to impartial policing. Whether this leads to a legitimate investigation or fizzles out as another chapter in the state’s endless political drama, one thing is clear: when law enforcement becomes a tool of vendetta, democracy itself is at risk. Citizens deserve a police force that serves the law, not the ruling party of the day.

Sources

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