21 August,2026 03:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray. File Pic
The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday criticised the Maharashtra government over what it described as a deterioration in law and order, particularly the reported rise in serious crimes against women and children across the state.
In an editorial published in the party's mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction claimed that Maharashtra, which it said was once considered relatively safe for women, had now slipped to second place nationally in crimes against women.
The editorial questioned whether the state's law enforcement system was providing sufficient deterrence to prevent serious crimes, particularly sexual offences involving minors.
The editorial focused on a series of incidents reported in Pune district, which it described as a major educational and cultural centre of Maharashtra.
It referred to the recent case in Pimpalwandi village in Junnar taluka, alleging that a 25-year-old man lured a nine-year-old girl from her home on the pretext of teaching her to ride a bicycle.
"Just as the state was recovering from a tragic sexual assault and murder in Nasrapur (Bhor taluka), a near-identical horror unfolded in Pimpalwandi village (Junnar taluka). A 25-year-old suspect lured a 9-year-old girl away from her house on the pretext of teaching her how to ride a bicycle. He took her to a nearby sugarcane field, sexually assaulted her, beat her severely, and strangled her to death," said the editorial.
According to the editorial, the accused allegedly concealed the girl's body and later joined police and local residents in the search for her, attempting to avoid suspicion.
The editorial said CCTV footage subsequently showed the accused with the girl on a bicycle. He was later arrested and allegedly confessed to the crime, following which he led police to the location where the body had been concealed.
The editorial noted that Pune district police officials had promised to file a charge sheet within 15 days and seek a trial in a fast-track court.
However, the Shiv Sena UBT questioned whether such assurances could prevent similar crimes.
It also referred to the Nasrapur case, in which a 65-year-old accused reportedly received a death sentence within 58 days, and questioned why such a punishment had not prevented another similar crime.
The editorial argued that swift arrests and legal proceedings were necessary but said they did not by themselves address the question of deterrence.
The editorial cited several other cases reported recently in different parts of Maharashtra.
In Hingoli district's Hatta area of Vasmat taluka, it said, a girl with a disability was allegedly lured into a sugarcane field with biscuits and sexually assaulted by four people on August 13. The incident reportedly came to light after her parents noticed changes in her behaviour. Three of the four accused have been arrested, according to the editorial.
The party also referred to a case in Nalasopara in which two youths were accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and circulating footage of the alleged assault on social media.
It further cited an alleged sexual assault involving six accused against a 14-year-old girl in Bhayandar and the arrest of a 65-year-old man in Wakad, Pune, for allegedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old child.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led party said police action and court proceedings generally follow after a crime has occurred, but questioned whether the state administration was doing enough to prevent such offences.
The editorial alleged that criminal elements had become emboldened because of perceived political protection, a claim that has not been independently established.
"Over 23,000 cases of violence and murder involving young boys and girls have been registered in the state in recent years. Maharashtra now ranks second in India for overall crimes against women. The Chief Minister, who holds the Home portfolio, himself admitted in the state legislature that Maharashtra ranks 8th nationally in total crime statistics - a confession the editorial called shameful," remarked the Thackeray camp.
The editorial placed responsibility for the state's law and order situation on the ruling administration and questioned the government's response to the recent cases.
It criticised the Chief Minister and the Home Department for what it described as a lack of effective action despite public concern over crimes against women and children.
The Shiv Sena UBT called for stronger measures to prevent such offences and argued that the government must focus not only on investigating crimes after they occur but also on creating an effective deterrent against potential offenders.
