The video surfaced a day after reports emerged of Shirsat facing scrutiny from the Income Tax Department regarding a significant increase in his declared assets, which surged from Rs 3.3 crore in 2019 to Rs 35 crore in 2024.
Mumbai: Maharashtra social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat from Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) has found himself at the centre of a political storm after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut posted a video and claimed that the minister can be seen with a bag filled with cash in it. The minister has rubbished the claim and called it a conspiracy to defame him.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut first posted the video on social media and wrote in Hindi, “This thrilling video should be watched by the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah! What’s going on in the country! (This video of a Maharashtra minister says a lot).”
“I feel pity for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis! How many more times will he just sit and watch his reputation being torn to shreds? Helplessness has another name: Fadnavis!” Raut said sarcastically.
In the video, Shirsat can be seen sitting in his bedroom smoking a cigarette and an open bag beside him. Another suitcase is visible nearby. A pet dog can also be seen in the video. Raut alleged that cash can be seen in the video.
However, Shirsat rubbished the claims calling it a ‘well-thought-out conspiracy’ to malign his reputation. “I had come back from a trip. I took off my clothes and sat in my bedroom. My pet dog was with me. Maybe someone shot the video at that time. I do not know about the money. If I had to keep so much money, I would have kept it in the cupboard. Someone must have shot the video. They are deliberately creating a narrative,” Shirsat said.
The minister further claimed there were clothes in his bag, but the Sena UBT is making false claims about cash. “Of course. There were clothes in it. But they see notes (currency),” he said.
The video came out a day after the Income-Tax department served a notice to Shirsat, Aurangabad (West) MLA, regarding a significant increase in his declared assets, which surged from Rs 3.3 crore in 2019 to Rs 35 crore in 2024. Shirsat said that he has sought more time to reply to the notice.
Another Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray demanded action from both the tax authorities and CM Fadnavis. “Today, it’s Sanjay Sirsat, bags full of cash beside him. Where did all this money come from? Who gave it? Can anyone just roam around carrying such wads of notes? And regarding the Income-Tax notice that came the day before, will the I-T department take any action? Will any action be taken on the orders of the Chief Minister or not? These are important questions that need answers,” said Thackeray.
The fresh controversy has erupted after another Shinde Sena leader and party MLA, Sanjay Gaikwad, courted controversy by assaulting a canteen staff over the alleged poor quality of food served to him. While CM Fadnavis has condemned Gaikwad's act, the opposition has been demanding that strict action be taken against him.
