Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar claimed that he has the “highest respect for our police force and its officers, including the women officers" after videos of him rebuking a woman IPS officer, Anjana Krishna, and asking her to stop action against illegal soil excavation, went viral.
In the viral video, which surfaced on Thursday, Pawar was heard admonishing Krishna over the phone.
IPS officer Anjana Krishna from Solapur Rural Police went to take action against illegal sand mining after villagers complained about illegal sand mining.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) September 5, 2025
A local NCP member at the spot called up Ajit Pawar and made the officer to speak to him. Another villager recorded the call… pic.twitter.com/A9On8JZ30J
The video, aired by Marathi news channels, showed Anjana Krishna, sub-divisional police officer, Karmala, talking to Pawar on a local NCP worker's phone. The IPS officer did not recognise his voice at first. Pawar then made a video call to the police officer, and purportedly asked her in a stern tone to stop the action against the illegal excavation. The minister was heard telling the IPS officer to go back to her office and tell the tehsildar the that the action has been stopped on the orders of the deputy CM.
The minister attempted to defend himself, saying he did not want to interfere but was only trying to de-escalate a tense situation.
"Let me state clearly that my intention was not to interfere with law enforcement but to ensure that the situation on the ground remained calm and did not escalate further," Pawar said in a statement.
He said he values the rule of law and has the highest respect for the police force and its officers, including women officers who serve with distinction and courage.
"I remain firmly committed to transparent governance and ensuring that every illegal activity, including sand mining, is dealt with strictly as per the law," Pawar further said.
