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Pune hotelier arrested for threatening to kill Raut using gangster’s name
“On Friday night, I received a message on WhatsApp from the gangster who had threatened actor Salman Khan as well. When I had received a threat from a Thane builder in February, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had made fun of it,” Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut said
Mumbai: Ahead of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) first rally in Sambhaji Nagar, which witnessed a communal clash on Ram Navami, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut on Saturday alleged that he received a death threat from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
“On Friday night, I received a message on WhatsApp from the gangster who had threatened actor Salman Khan as well. When I had received a threat from a Thane builder in February, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had made fun of it,” he said.
On Saturday morning, Raut’s brother and Vikhroli MLA, Sunil Raut, filed a complaint at Kanjurmarg police station. Hours later, a police team arrested a Pune-based hotelier who allegedly issued the threat using the gangster’s name.
“You are anti-Hindu. Come to Delhi and you will be shot with an AK-47. You will meet the same fate as rapper Sidhu Moosewala. This message is from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi for you and Salman Khan. Be ready,” the accused, identified as Rahul Uttam Talekar, had allegedly said in the message.
Initially, the police registered an offence against Bishnoi under section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (2) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. However, during investigation, it was found that the message had come from Talekar, 23.
Purshottam Karad, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone VII, said Talekar was arrested in Pune’s Wadgaon Sheri. “Talekar claimed that he had called Raut twice on Friday night. When Raut did not answer his calls, he sent him the message while under the influence of alcohol.”
The police said the accused, who hails from Jalna, denied having any links with Bishnoi or his gang, and claimed that he watched videos of Raut and Bishnoi on YouTube and obtained Raut’s mobile number.
Meanwhile, the MVA leaders stepped up the attack on the government, claiming that while the latter is busy shielding the traitors, the law and order in the state has gone for a toss.
NCP MP Supriya Sule called it a failure of the home department. “After the incidents of violence in parts of the state on Friday, now an elected representative has been threatened by a gangster. If the home minister is not capable of handling the law and order, he should do away with the responsibility.”
Reacting to the allegations, Fadnavis said the criminals would be strictly dealt with. “As far as the demand for my resignation is concerned, I am aware that some people do not want me to remain home minister for obvious reasons. However, I will continue in the chair and will act against those indulging in illegal activities.”
Raut claimed that the cases of communal violence were the work of the ruling parties. “They have been trying to polarise voters after realising that the government has failed to garner public support. Our rally in Sambhaji Nagar will be held on Sunday in which our party chief Uddhav Thackeray will participate.”
The Sambhaji Nagar rally will be the first of the seven the MVA partners have planned in the state.
