Accused In Abetment of Suicide, Sanjay Rathod’s Entry In Maha Cabinet Sparks Controversy

Sanjay Rathod is the legislator from the Digras constituency in Yavatmal. There were allegations that he was in a relationship with the woman that went bad, leading to her death by suicide.

Mumbai: Sanjay Rathod of the Shinde Sena on Tuesday took oath as minister of state. The Sena leader was once accused of abetment of Tick Tocker’s suicide.

Mr. Rathod’s inclusion in the cabinet has caused differences between the BJP and the Shinde Sena. Vice president of the BJP state unit, Chitra Wagh has opposed the inclusion of the rebel Sena MLA.

“It is very unfortunate that former minister Sanjay Rathod, who caused the death of Pooja Chavan, has been given the post of minister again. I have continued my fight against Sanjay Rathod even though he has become a minister again I believe in god of justice, will fight and win”.

पुजा चव्हाण च्या मृत्युला कारणीभूत असणार्या माजी मंत्री संजय राठोड ला पुन्हा मंत्रीपद दिलं जाणं हे अत्यंत दुदैवी आहे

संजय राठोड जरी पुन्हा मंत्री झालेला असला तरीही त्याच्या विरुद्धचा माझा लढा मी सुरूचं ठेवलेला आहे
माझा न्याय देवतेवर विश्वास
लडेंगे….जितेंगे 👍 @CMOMaharashtra pic.twitter.com/epJCMpvHLB

— Chitra Kishor Wagh (@ChitraKWagh) August 9, 2022

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, responding to the BJP leader’s comments has defended his minister’s inclusion.  “He’s been given the clean chit by police after an investigation during the previous government. That’s why we have made him a minister. We will speak to anyone who has an objection,” he said.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who was also present at the oath ceremony had earlier alleged Mr. Rathod of abetment of suicide. Mr. Somaiya had said “The suicide was in fact “a murder” by Sanjay Rathod.”

Sanjay Rathod is the legislator from the Digras constituency in Yavatmal. There were allegations that he was in a relationship with the woman that went bad, leading to her death by suicide.

However, he was cleared by a special investigation team formed by the Yavatmal Superintendent of Police Dilip Patil Bhujbal in August 2021. In the Sena revolt, that unseated that alliance, Mr. Rathod was one of the MLAs who backed team Shinde, breaking up the Shiv Sena and “resuming a natural alliance” with the BJP. Mr. Shinde had cited the “clean chit” last month too — barely a week after taking charge — amid speculations that Sanjay Rathod would get a cabinet spot.

Today, Mr. Rathod was one of 18 MLAs who took oath in Mumbai as the Maharashtra cabinet was finally expanded beyond the Shinde-Fadnavis duo.

The expansion came more than a month after a rebellion by the Shinde faction brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. The opposition had criticized the delay.