Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader and Minister of Forest Disaster Management and Rehab, Sanjay Rathod filed his resignation on Sunday to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Sanjay Rathod along with wife reached Varsha bungalow to meet CM Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday.
Rathod's name is surfaced in the death case of 22-year-old TikTok star Pooja Chavan. Sanjay Rathod is a Shiv Sena leader from Yavatmal district and was appointed as Minister of Forest, Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation in MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) ruling state. Last year, Rathod was appointed as the Guardian Minister for Yavatmal. The four-time Shiv Sena MLA from is a famous leader of the Banjara community and is linked with the death of Pooja Chavan.
The 22-year-old Pooja Chavan had come to Pune from her hometown in Beed district for pursuing an English-speaking course. She resided with two youth, said to be her brother and his friend.
On February 8, the TikTok star allegedly died of suicide by jumping off one of the residential buildings in Wanawadi area of Pune. Six days after her suicide, Shiv Sena leader and Forest Minister Sanjay Rathod name surfaced in connection with the matter.
The leaders from the Opposition party in Maharashtra however, started targeting the MVA government (Maha Vikas Aghadi). BJP raised the issue after audio clips went viral, showing a talk between one of Pooja's roommates and another person.
Former Chief Minister of state and current Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis last week had sent a letter to Hemant Nagrale, Director-General of Police, requesting an inquiry into the matter. He had also submitted 14 alleged clips of the alleged conversations between Pooja Chavan and the Shiv Sena leader.
Several leaders from BJP such as Chitra Wagh, Atul Bhatkhalkar, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Kirit Somaiyahave have accused Sanjay Rathod of abetting her suicide. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had informed that enquiry was underway and the truth will surface after the investigation is over.
