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No records of Sambhaji Maharaj’s cremation available: Author, ex-IAS officer Vishwas Patil tells Koregaon Bhima panel

During his cross examination by advocate Deshmukh, Patil said he was mainly a "social and historical fiction writer" and his novel Sambhaji is based on the legendry king's "biographical and historical background."

4 min readPuneDec 1, 2025 07:36 PM IST

No records of Sambhaji Maharaj's cremation available: Author, ex-IAS officer Vishwas Patil tells Koregaon Bhima panel

Advocate Deshmukh said records do not mention that Govind Mahar took part in cremation of Sambhaji Maharaj. (File Photo)

Deposing as a witness before the Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry in Pune on Monday, noted author and retired IAS officer Vishwas Patil submitted that no historical record regarding the cremation of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was available.

The commission had summoned Patil following an application filed by advocate Mangesh Deshmukh of the Vadhu Budruk gram panchayat in Pune district. Advocate Deshmukh said Patil’s novel “Sambhaji”, without any contemporary historical evidence, mentions that a person named Govind Mahar was involved in performing the last rites of Sambhaji Maharaj. During his chief examination by Commission’s lawyer Aashish Satpute, Patil said he has done research relating to the assassination of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1689 and his cremation in Vadhu Budruk village.

During his cross examination, advocate B G Bansode asked Patil whether “Govind Gopal Mahar” cremated Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj at Vadhu Budruk village. Patil replied, “I have drawn such an inference after perusing certain articles and historical information. There is, however, no availability of any record of the actual event of cremation (of Sambhaji Maharaj).”

Vadhu Budruk is a historic village—located about 4km from Koregaon Bhima—known for the samadhi of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The village also has a disputed tomb-like structure, which, according to the Dalit Mahar community, is the samadhi of Govind Gopal Dhegoji Meghoji, a 17th century figure.

Marathas from Vadhu Budruk village believe it was their ancestors, the Shivale Deshmukhs, who had defied the orders of Aurangzeb and performed the last rites of Sambhaji Maharaj after he was killed by the Mughal emperor in 1689. The Dalit Mahar community, however, claims that Govind Gopal performed the last rites of the king.

A board with the ‘disputed history’ of Govind Gopal erected in Vadhu Budruk on the intervening night of December 28 and 29, 2017, had led to an altercation, which was seen as one of the triggers for violence in Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 2018, in which one person died and several others were left injured.

During his cross examination by advocate Deshmukh, Patil said he was mainly a “social and historical fiction writer” and his novel Sambhaji is based on the legendry king’s “biographical and historical background.” Patil also said he included certain “imaginary minor characters” in the novel to convey certain incidents.

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Patil said he referred to the character “Govind Mahar” from the “Sanads” (a historical official document regarding issuing of grants) granted in the early 17th century. Advocate Deshmukh said these “Sanads” do not mention anywhere that Govind Mahar took part in cremation of Sambhaji Maharaj.

Meanwhile, Patil requested time from the Commission for inspection of Vadhu Budruk village records like certified copies of 7×12 extracts from 1930 to 1935, list of khatedars, village maps, copy of Malik Ambar survey of years 1608 to 1610. The commission then adjourned Patil’s cross examination.

“Advocate Deshmukh would submit the records before the Commission by December 15. Patil would then be called again for cross-examination,” said V V Palnitkar, Commission’s secretary.

Patil has been appointed as the president of the 99th All India Marathi Literary Meet to be held in Satara in January 2026. Besides “Sambhaji”, which was published about 20 years ago, Patil is also known for his books “Panipat” and a novel “Mahanayak” on Subhash Chandra Bose.

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The state government had constituted a two-member commission, headed by retired high court judge Justice J N Patel, for probing into the causes of violence reported in Koregaon Bhima area on January 1, 2018, where thousands had gathered in the region for the 200th commemoration of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima. Former chief secretary Sumit Mallick was appointed the second member of the commission.

Chandan Haygunde

Chandan Haygunde is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With over 20 years of experience in journalism, he is one of the region's most authoritative voices on crime, national security, and legal affairs. Professional Profile Specialization: He specialises covering issues related to Crime, Courts, National Security and Human Rights. He has done investigative reporting on incidents of terrorism, left wing extremism, espionage cases, wildlife crimes, narcotics racket, cyber crimes and sensational murder cases in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. While working on the ‘Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Fellowship on Tigers, Tiger Habitats and Conservation’ in 2012, he reported extensively on the illegal activities in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. He is at the helm of the widely read weekly series “Pune Crime Files”. He is widely recognized for his deep-dive coverage of the cases related to the Koregaon Bhima violence in Pune and the Elgaar Parishad investigation. Key Beats: His portfolio includes covering crimes mainly under the jurisdiction of Pune City, Pune rural and Pimpri Chinchwad Police, along with the sensitive cases from the state, being investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Background: Before his long tenure at The Indian Express, he worked with other Marathi and English publications, giving him a unique grassroots understanding of Maharashtra's socio-political landscape. Awards and Recognition: He got the CMS PANOS Young Environment Journalist Award in January 2014 for investigative reports on illegal activities in Sahyadri Tiger Rerserve. He received the award for outstanding investigative journalism by the Lokmat group in Pune in January 2020, “Missing since 2010, Pune youth a ‘Maoist Commander’ in Chhattisgarh”, which appeared on July 9, 2019. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) In recent months, Chandan’s reporting has focused on high-profile terror case investigations, inter-state firearms racket, leopard movements in Pune city, cyber scams and hearings of the Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry. 1. High-Profile crimes and terrorism cases “Techie linked to Al-Qaeda preached democracy is against Shariat” (Nov 17, 2025). Reporting on the ongoing investigation into the arrest of IT professional Zubair Hangargekar (37) from Pune for alleged terror links. “The case against Jyoti Jagtap, member of ‘Maoist front’ Kabir Kala Manch and Elgaar Parishad organiser, granted interim bail by apex court” (Nov 20, 2025) Tracking the updates in the high profile Elgaar Parishad case related to the alleged naxal activities in urban areas. “How NIA arrested doctor turned ‘ISIS recruiter’ in Maharashtra terror module case” (Nov 24, 2025) After the arrest of doctors in Delhi Red Fort blast, a report on alleged terror links of a consulting anaesthetist from a Pune hospital. “A year after loco pilot averts tragedy by spotting gas cylinder on railway track, probe still inconclusive” (Dec 8, 2025). Report on the unsolved case of a suspected sabotage incident, which could have derailed a train. “No records of Sambhaji Maharaj’s cremation available: Author, ex-IAS officer Vishwas Patil tells Koregaon Bhima panel” (Dec 1, 2025) Reporting on a sensitive issue related to the Koregaon Bhima violence. 2. Inter-state firearms racket "Pune police swoop down on ‘village of pistols’ in Madhya Pradesh; 36 detained, 50 kilns destroyed" (Nov 22, 2025) "Recce a week before, microplanning: how Pune police raided ‘village of pistols’ in MP" (Nov 24, 2025) Reporting on the illegal gun manufacturing units in Umarti village, Madhya Pradesh 3. Cybercrime & Financial Scams “Pimpri Chinchwad police arrest ‘bank account supplier’ with links to China, nationwide cyber scams" (Nov 27, 2025) An investigative look at the modus opernadi of international cyber-gangs cheating high-earning professionals across the country ‘Your case linked to Pahalgam terrorist’: Pune businessman loses Rs 1.44 crore to fraudster posing as NIA chief" (Oct 18, 2025) Report on the tricks played on cyber scammers cheating people through digital arrest frauds Signature Style: The Investigative Hit Chandan is known for his ability to cultivate deep-cover sources within the police and intelligence agencies. His writing often goes beyond the "police version" of events, providing historical context and identifying systemic lapses. He is particularly respected for his balanced reporting on sensitive communal issues and his persistent tracking of the Maoist urban-link cases, making his columns essential reading for legal experts and policymakers. X (Twitter): @chandan_pune ... Read More

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