Mumbai: Following chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s directive, Mumbai police commissioner Deven Bharti on Monday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by an additional police commissioner, to investigate an audio clip circulated by Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange at a conference on Oct 22 that allegedly involved a Rs 500 crore payment.Jarange had alleged a conspiracy to defame him and his agitation.Mumbai’s additional CP (South Region) Shailesh Balkawade will head the SIT, with deputy commissioners of police Vijaykant Sagar (Zone-3) and Bajrang Bansode (Cyber Crime) as members. Bharti authorised the SIT chief to appoint officers required for the investigation and submit periodic progress reports.An order issued by the CP’s office said the audio clip reportedly referred to various individuals by name and mentioned alleged financial transactions involving substantial amounts. It added that the SIT has been constituted for forensic examination of the audio clip, other necessary technical analyses and a detailed, impartial investigation.The voices heard in the circulated clip resemble those of a BJP MLA, the party’s state social media in-charge and a political commentator. The reported teleconference appears to have taken place during the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections. During that period, Jarange’s agitation was drawing huge support across the state and he was repeatedly targeting Fadnavis over the reservation issue. The audio clip surfaced in public a few days ago.In the clip, one voice is heard saying that “Rs 500 crore delivered to Jarange Patil, through MP Shrikant Shinde”. The speakers were also discussing strategy to target Jarange and get political benefit out of it.Jarange denied the payment allegation and claimed a conspiracy had been hatched to silence him and weaken the Maratha reservation agitation. He alleged that it was orchestrated mainly by deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and Fadnavis was involved too.
