25 June,2026 12:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut. Pic/PTI
Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has written to Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, seeking legal action against rebel Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Dina Patil over alleged threatening remarks made after he joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
In a letter dated June 24, Raut demanded Patil's immediate arrest under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), alleging that his statements amounted to criminal intimidation and raised serious concerns about public safety and national security.
The letter comes amid heightened political tensions following the defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, a move that has intensified the rivalry between the two factions.
In his letter, Raut referred to the public reaction that followed the defection of the six MPs and said that while peaceful protests are a constitutional right, Patil had allegedly made statements threatening protesters and political opponents.
Raut mentioned in the letter, "Patil reportedly stated, 'I have killed 5 people before'."
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader urged Mumbai Police to treat the alleged remark as a serious admission and sought an investigation into the statement.
According to Raut, the authorities should identify the individuals allegedly referred to and examine whether any criminal offences had been committed.
Raut also cited another alleged statement attributed to Patil in his letter.
"If anyone protests against me, I will throw a bomb at them. I will enter their homes and kill them," claimed Raut in his letter.
Expressing concern over the alleged reference to explosives, Raut urged the police to investigate the matter thoroughly.
"If he (Sanjay Patil) has manufactured these bombs at home, his residence must be raided immediately with the help of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). If he obtained these explosives from a terrorist outfit, it is a grave national security concern, and he must be immediately arrested under the UAPA for involvement in anti-national acts," he stated.
Raut argued that the alleged remarks warranted stringent legal action and called for immediate intervention by law enforcement agencies.
The Rajya Sabha MP further stated that if the Mumbai Police failed to act promptly, he would approach the court in the interest of public safety.
He also said that Sanjay Dina Patil should be held responsible if any political worker was attacked or killed in the prevailing political atmosphere following the alleged remarks.
The Mumbai Police have not yet issued an official response to Raut's letter or indicated whether any inquiry has been initiated.
The latest controversy comes days after six of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs crossed over to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in a move described by the ruling faction as "Operation Tiger."
While Sanjay Dina Patil has previously maintained that he was subjected to unfair treatment and isolation within the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, Raut has alleged that the rebel MPs switched sides after receiving substantial financial inducements.
The political confrontation between the rival Shiv Sena factions has intensified in recent days, with leaders from both camps exchanging allegations over the defections. Raut's complaint to the Mumbai Police marks the latest escalation, taking the dispute beyond political exchanges and into the legal arena. The police are yet to announce any action on the allegations contained in the letter.
