Amruta Fadnavis’ allegations rock the state as Maharashtra Opposition demands probe

Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ wife Amruta Fadnavis found herself in trouble following her claims that a ‘designer’ tried to bribe her with 1 crore seeking her ‘intervention’ in a criminal case.

Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Thursday sought an independent probe into Amruta Fadnavis’s allegations, while Congress President for the state Nana Patole wondered how people will be safe if home minster himself is not.

‘Deputy CM Fadnavis himself said in the House (state Assembly) that there was an attempt to blackmail his wife. A woman has been arrested in this case. The matter is serious and should be investigated thoroughly and the truth should be revealed,’ The Indian Express quoted Patole as saying.

Ever since Fadnavis became the deputy chief minister Fadnavis and the family of the accused have relations, Patole alleged.

Patole asked Fadnavis to use the police system under him to investigate the matter and bring the facts before the public.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, demanding an independent investigation, said there is a conflict of interest as the complainants and the home minister are from the same family.

Chaturvedi in a series of tweets alleged that a criminal gained access to ‘de facto CM’s house’ making friends with his wife for five years, offering her jewellery, and clothes.

Chaturvedi further said that the ‘designer friend’ roamed with her in her car and told her they could make money reporting and raiding bookies, settling it for money.

Later Priyanka Chaturvedi had a spat with Amruta Fadnavis on Twitter over the FIR lodged against a designer who is facing allegations of blackmailing.

Chaturvedi in her tweet wondered how a “criminal’s daughter” gained access to Fadnavis’ house and became friends with Amruta Fadnavis.

Amruta Fadnavis said Chaturvedi would have helped her if such a person had approached her.