Premium
This is an archive article published on October 20, 2024

Gauri Lankesh murder accused removed from Shiv Sena after Eknath Shinde steps in: Who is Shrikant Pangarkar?

Pangarkar, a former two-time councillor from Jalna, claims he never quit the party even as he was “reinducted” by his “political guru” and former minister Arjun Khorkar on Friday.

Gauri Lankesh murder accused joins Shiv SenaPangarkar claimed he never quit the party and had served in many positions in the Sena. (Express Photo)

Amid backlash over the Shiv Sena’s decision to reinduct a person accused in the murder case of journalist Gauri Lankesh, party chief and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday ordered that the appointment was “null and void”.

Shrikant Pangarkar was admitted into party ranks in Jalna on Friday by his “political guru” and former minister Arjun Khotkar and was appointed the party’s poll campaign in-charge for the Jalna Assembly seat. But Shinde’s order on Sunday stated, “All orders issued at the (district level) in Jalna stand null and void.”

Pangarkar, however, claimed he never quit the party and had served in many positions in the Sena. “Since 2014, I have been handling the role that I have been assigned now,” he told The Indian Express. Sources too said though Pangarkar was not officially active between 2011 and 2018, he was a supporter of Khotkar and was his backroom operator during the polls. Khotkar had distanced himself from Pangarkar after the Karnataka SIT arrested the latter in August 2018, according to party insiders.

Son of BJP worker and former corporator Jagannath, Pangarkar began his political journey with the undivided Sena in 1996 and rose through the ranks to become Shakha Pramukh and Vibhag Pramukh. He won his first civic polls in 2001 from Jalna and repeated the feat five years later. In 2011, he quit and joined Hindu Janajagruti Samithi, a right-wing organisation. Party insiders said his strong pro-Hindutva image and clout in Jalna city might have helped the Sena consolidate votes.

While in the Lankesh case, Pangarkar has been accused of attending a training camp and arranging firearms, he is also an accused in the Nalasopara arms haul case in which the Maharashtra Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) has accused him and 11 others of conspiring to disrupt the 2017 Sunburn music festival in Pune. He has denied all allegations and claimed he was implicated due to “political rivalry”. He is out on bail in both cases, with the bail in the Lankesh murder case granted last month.

“If you read the bail order or even the chargesheet, you will find that there is no evidence against me. All allegations are false. I lost six years of my life. I am not a criminal and have no role in both cases. I have been active only in politics,” said Pangarkar, who again wants to try his luck in the civic polls. According to locals, Pangarkar now resides in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where is involved in the hotel and real estate business, and also runs a ration shop.

Vallabh Ozarkar is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized as an authoritative and deeply knowledgeable voice on the politics, governance, and infrastructure of Maharashtra. With more than nine years of experience in major news organizations, his reporting delivers high standards of Expertise and Trustworthiness. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Senior Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai bureau. Geographical Specialization: Provides exclusive and detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, operating at the epicenter of the state's decision-making in Mumbai. Core Authority: His reporting demonstrates deep Expertise across critical and often complex state matters, including: Political Dynamics: In-depth analysis of the ruling coalition (Mahayuti) and opposition (MVA), internal party conflicts, and crucial election updates, including local body polls and municipal corporation tussles. Governance & Policy: Focused coverage on significant state policies, such as the overhaul of Mumbai's 'pagdi system' (rent control for old buildings) and social welfare schemes (e.g., Ladki Bahin Yojana accountability). Infrastructure & Development: Reports on major urban and regional infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai Water Metro, Uttan-Virar Sea Link, and Thane Metro development. Administrative Oversight: Follows legislative actions, cabinet decisions, and reports on issues of accountability and alleged fraud within state departments. Experience Current Role: His role at The Indian Express—a leading national daily—validates the credibility and standard of his reporting. Career Foundation: Prior to The Indian Express, Vallabh contributed to other major metropolitan news outlets, including the Mumbai Mirror and DNA - Daily News & Analysis, providing a solid foundation in rigorous urban and political journalism. Evidence of Impact: His work consistently breaks down complex political developments and administrative failures, such as exposing discrepancies in government welfare schemes, cementing his reputation as a trusted source for ground-level, impactful news from Maharashtra. He tweets @Ozarkarvallabh ... Read More

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise  Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

 

Advertisement
Loading Recommendations...
Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments