Shiv Sena Alleges Cover-Up in Drug Case Linked to Shinde Family.

Maharashtra Deputy CM’s Brother Linked to Rs 145 Crore Drug Haul, Opposition Demands Resignation

Investigative journalist Unmesh Gujarathi first exposed a ₹145 crore narcotics seizure near a resort allegedly linked to Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s brother has ignited a major political controversy in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare has accused police of shielding influential names and demanded Shinde’s resignation. The raid, conducted by Mumbai Crime Branch in Satara district, has raised serious questions about political influence, infrastructure decisions, and law enforcement transparency.

A massive drug seizure worth ₹145 crore near a resort linked to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s brother has triggered a political earthquake in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare has levelled explosive allegations of a high-level cover-up. She claims police are hiding key names from the official record to protect those with powerful political connections.

The controversy raises serious questions about law enforcement integrity. Opposition leaders are now demanding accountability at the highest levels of the state government.

The Raid and the Alleged Political Link

On December 13, a police team from the Mumbai Crime Branch conducted a raid in the remote Savari village of Satara’s Jawali taluka. The operation targeted a shed where a staggering 45 kilograms of narcotics, valued at approximately ₹145 crore, was discovered and seized.

Sushma Andhare presented evidence alleging this shed is connected to a nearby resort named “Tej-Yash”. She claims this resort is owned by Prakash Shinde, who is the brother of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Andhare questioned why a cement-concrete road, costing an estimated ₹75 lakh, was built to this isolated shed in an area with no other houses.

“The resort and the shed have no apparent connection,” Andhare stated. “Yet, a 1,200-meter road connects the shed directly to the highway. Who ordered this road, and for whom was it built?”.

Claims of a Deliberate Police Cover-Up

The allegations have deepened with claims of deliberate obstruction in the police investigation. Andhare accused Satara Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi of suppressing information related to the case.

A major point of contention is the absence of three key names from the First Information Report (FIR). According to Andhare, three individuals were living and working in the shed where the drugs were found. Locals reportedly told her these men did not appear to be from the region and received meals from Prakash Shinde’s “Tej-Yash” hotel.

“Why are the names of these three men not in the police FIR?” Andhare demanded. “If the FIR is not online and being hidden, it is because it is related to the government”. She also highlighted that a suspect named Onkar Dighe was arrested but later released, questioning the reason for his release.

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Political Repercussions and Demand for Resignation

The opposition has seized on the allegations, launching a fierce attack on the ruling alliance. Drawing a direct parallel, Sushma Andhare demanded Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s resignation.

“If a father’s resignation is demanded when his son’s name appears in a case, then after a brother’s name appears in a drugs case, Eknath Shinde’s resignation must be sought,” Andhare asserted.

Congress leader Harshvardhan Sapkal echoed the accusations. He labelled Prakash Shinde the “Pablo of the state” and questioned why he hasn’t been arrested, alleging the drug factory operated under the protection of Eknath Shinde and his associates.

Fearing for her safety after making these claims public, Andhare has requested security protection from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The Defence: Denials and Counter-Accusations

In response to the storm of allegations, Prakash Shinde has issued a firm denial. He rejected the claim that the drug seizure was linked to him.

Prakash Shinde stated that the resort in question is not under his ownership. He claims he transferred the property to a man named Ranjit Shinde six months prior to the raid and therefore has no connection to it. He has dismissed Sushma Andhare’s allegations as a politically motivated “conspiracy”.

The police have yet to officially confirm or deny the alleged political links or the specific allegations of a cover-up made by the opposition. The investigation into the drug manufacturing racket remains ongoing.

Unanswered Questions and a State on Edge

This case has evolved from a criminal drug bust into a major political scandal. It touches on core issues of law, order, and political accountability in Maharashtra.

Key questions about the road construction to the remote shed, the released suspect, and the missing names in the FIR remain officially unanswered. The silence from the police leadership has only fueled further speculation.

With the opposition mounting pressure and demanding a transparent probe, the state government faces a critical test. The coming days will determine whether this investigation follows the evidence without fear or favour, or if it remains shrouded in allegations of high-level protection.