Maharashtra BJP leader Vijay Chaudhari arrested for 'casteist' remarks against ex-party MP

One of the clips also featured the BJP leader making remarks on Prime Minister Modi and Devendra Fadnavis, both of whom have alleged the use of AI.

The arrest of the BJP’s former general secretary and north Maharashtra convenor Vijay Chaudhari for allegedly using objectionable language against former BJP MP Heena Gavit has exposed fissures within the saffron party.

Vijay Chaudhari was arrested late on Thursday night under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, based on a complaint from Gavit, who belongs to a tribal community. (HT Archive)

Chaudhari was arrested late on Thursday night under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, based on a complaint from Gavit, who belongs to a tribal community.

Audio clips with objectionable remarks

In one of the audio clips of Chaudhari’s purported conversations with other BJP leaders, which have surfaced on social media platforms over the past month, he is heard using foul language against Gavit and referring to her caste, in violation of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Other audio clips purportedly feature Chaudhari making objectionable remarks about BJP leaders Pankaja Munde, Raosaheb Danve, Raksha Khadse, Amrish Patil, NCP (SP) leader Eknath Khadse and others. One of the clips also features him talking about chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and prime minister Narendra Modi; both leaders have claimed the audio clips were doctored using artificial intelligence.

“The leakage of the audio clips on social media is believed to be the handiwork of Chaudhari’s former personal assistant, who had cloned his boss’s phone and was accessing and recording all major conversations even after he left the job,” a senior BJP leader said on condition of anonymity.

Investigation on claims of fabrication

Chaudhari is believed to be close to water resources minister Girish Mahajan and revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and the leakage of the audio clips had embarrassed both leaders as well as the state unit.

“As a result, differences between the leaders have come to the fore, perhaps for the first time in recent years,” the BJP leader quoted earlier said.

BJP’s state vice president Keshav Upadhye said that now that Chaudhari had been arrested, the police would investigate the case properly.

“The investigation will also show if the audio clips are real or fabricated. Until then, drawing any conclusion would not be appropriate,” he said.