No intention to interfere, was trying to defuse situation: Ajit Pawar on 'rebuking' IPS officer

Ajit Pawar was heard admonishing a woman IPS officer over phone. File Pic

Reacting to his viral video, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said that he did not want to interfere but was only trying to deescalate a tense situation, reported the PTI.

As the NCP chief came under fire over the incident, police registered a case against several persons for allegedly obstructing IPS officer Anjali Krishna and other officials as they were taking action against illegal 'murum' soil excavation in Solapur district in Maharashtra.

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In the viral video which surfaced on Thursday, Ajit Pawar was heard admonishing Krishna over phone.

"Let me state clearly that my intention was not to interfere with law enforcement but to ensure that the situation on the ground remained calm and did not escalate further," Ajit Pawar said in a statement on Friday, according to the PTI.

He values the rule of law and has the highest respect for the police force and its officers, including women officers who serve with distinction and courage, he said.

"I remain firmly committed to transparent governance and ensuring that every illegal activity, including sand mining, is dealt with strictly as per the law," Ajit Pawar further said.

The video, aired by Marathi news channels, showed Anjana Krishna, sub-divisional police officer, Karmala, talking to Pawar on a local NCP worker's phone. She did not recognise his voice at first.

Ajit Pawar then made a video call to the police officer, and purportedly asked her in a stern tone to stop action against the illegal excavation.
Murum soil is used in road construction.

Meanwhile, a First Information Report was registered against Baba Jagtap, Nitin Mali, Santosh Kapre, Anna Dhane and 15 to 20 others under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 132 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 189 (2) (Unlawful Assembly), and relevant sections of Protection of Environment Act, said an official of Kurduwadi police station, as per the PTI.

The incident had taken place on August 31 when revenue department officials along with IPS officer Anjali Krishna reached Kapre Wasti to take action against illegal excavation, said the official, the news agency reported.

The accused allegedly tried to obstruct the action, he added.

(with PTI inputs)