Pune: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a criminal conspiracy case against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, Special Public Prosecutor Pravin Chavan, and other high-ranking officials.
The CBI’s FIR also names retired Assistant Police Commissioner Sushma Chavan and then-Deputy Commissioner of Police Pournima Gaikwad as part of the conspiracy. Both officials are accused of creating false witnesses and manufacturing evidence to implicate BJP leaders and others in the legal case.
Devendra Fadnavis had accused the then-state government of orchestrating a plot to entangle BJP leaders in baseless legal cases.
As proof, Fadnavis submitted a pen drive containing video footage recorded from a hidden camera placed in the office of Special Public Prosecutor Pravin Chavan. The video allegedly shows Chavan engaging in discussions with senior police officials to falsely charge BJP leaders with serious crimes.
After the new Shinde government took power, the case was handed over to the CBI for further investigation. According to the CBI, the video footage depicts Pravin Chavan discussing strategies to fabricate complaints against BJP leaders.
The conversation involved coaching witnesses, fabricating evidence, and providing specific instructions to investigating officers. Chavan is also alleged to have managed financial arrangements, such as cash payments, to facilitate the filing of false charges.
In the recordings, Chavan is also heard explaining how to conduct raids, frame cases related to drug trafficking, and misuse provisions under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Investigations have shown that hotel accommodations for the raiding teams were booked, with the bills being settled by the conspirators.
The conspiracy is said to have involved former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, who, along with Pravin Chavan and complainant Vijay Bhaskarrao Patil, allegedly plotted to file false cases against BJP leaders.
This led to the registration of a "zero FIR" in Jalgaon, which was later transferred to the Kothrud Police Station in Pune.
The zero FIR was tied to a dispute within the Jalgaon District Maratha Vidya Prasarak Cooperative Society, where BJP members were purportedly framed.