Maharashtra police have made some arrests after Union Minister Raksha Khadse’s daughter and some of her friends were allegedly molested by a group of youths in Jalgaon district.
The incident took place during the Sant Muktai Yatra at Kothali village in Muktainagar taluka.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the accused belong to a political party and some of them have already been arrested.
#WATCH | Jalgaon: Union Minister Raksha Khadse says, "Today, I went to the police station as a mother and not as a Union Minister... On the night before yesterday, the incident which happened with my daughter and her friends is condemnable... There may be many such mothers who… pic.twitter.com/2vtS6X6Sx1
— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2025
Khadse had lodged a police complaint in connection with the incident and said she had spoken to the chief minister and the deputy superintendent of police.
“My daughter and her friends were followed and pushed, and their photos and videos were taken. When my staff objected, the boys resorted to unruly behaviour, and a mob of 30 to 40 people gathered,” she told reporters.
"It is unfortunate. If such things happen to an MP or Union minister's daughter, imagine what common people have to go through," she further said.
Fadnavis, while speaking to reporters in Raigad, said strict action would be taken against the culprits.
"Those who harassed Khadse's daughter are from a political party. The local police have arrested some of them and registered a case. There will be strict action taken against them," he asserted.
According to Muktainagar Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Krishnat Pingale, the accused, identified as Aniket Ghui, along with six others, allegedly stalked and molested at least three to four girls.
"On February 28, 2025, a yatra (procession) was taken out at Kothali village. Aniket Ghui and six of his associates, who were part of the event, allegedly stalked and molested three to four girls," he said in a video statement.
The case was registered under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act.
The incident has led to a political slugfest with the opposition Congress targeting the government over the law and order situation in the state.
"If even daughters of the Union ministers are not safe, one can only imagine the plight of ordinary citizens. Home Minister and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have lost control over the home department and criminals,” Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal said in a press statement.
