Former Maharashtra Minister Eknath Khadse Faces Criminal Case After Police Station Confrontation
A significant legal development has unfolded in Jalgaon district, where authorities have registered a criminal case against former minister and current Member of Legislative Council Eknath Khadse. The incident occurred at the Savda police station on Wednesday afternoon, stemming from a heated argument between Khadse and the station's in-charge officer regarding an ongoing investigation into a substantial soil theft case.
The Confrontation at Savda Police Station
According to the First Information Report filed at Savda police station, the confrontation began around 12:30 PM on Wednesday when Assistant Inspector Vishal Patil received a phone call informing him that Khadse had arrived at the police station gate. When Patil went to receive the MLC, Khadse immediately accused him of accepting crores of rupees in bribes related to the soil theft investigation in Taskheda village of Raver taluka.
The FIR details that Khadse demanded to know why no FIR had been registered in the soil theft matter, to which Assistant Inspector Patil responded that an FIR had actually been filed on January 29 and the investigation was currently underway. As Khadse stepped out of his vehicle, he insisted on obtaining all documents related to the case immediately.
Escalation of the Argument
When Patil explained that case documents would need to be obtained through proper court channels once the investigation concluded, the situation rapidly deteriorated. Khadse became visibly agitated and reportedly used objectionable language toward the police officer. The confrontation intensified further when Khadse allegedly threatened to involve higher authorities, mentioning that the assembly session was about to commence and he would call both the officer and the concerned minister.
Most seriously, the assistant inspector's statement in the FIR claims that Khadse threatened to trap him in an anti-corruption case, adding criminal intimidation to the list of alleged offenses.
Legal Charges Filed Against Khadse
Despite Khadse's subsequent claim that he apologized for his language, police have proceeded with formal charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Maharashtra Police Act:
- Section 296: Obscene acts
- Section 221: Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions
- Section 351(1): Criminal intimidation
- Section 352: Intentional insult
- Sections 112/117 of the Maharashtra Police Act
A senior Jalgaon police officer has confirmed the registration of the case against the prominent political figure, marking a significant escalation in what began as a dispute over investigative procedures.
Background: The Soil Theft Case
The confrontation originated from Khadse's persistent follow-up on a substantial soil theft case involving government property. The matter traces back to a complaint filed by an assistant engineer from the irrigation department, which resulted in an FIR last month.
The engineer's investigation revealed that approximately 4,565 brass of soil had disappeared from a storage site in Taskheda village where soil excavated during the Hatnur dam project (1972-1982) had been deposited. After accounting for an estimated 20% loss due to natural washing away, investigators determined that roughly 2,739 brass of soil had been stolen between 2005 and 2025, with an estimated value of Rs 7.9 lakh.
Khadse's Version of Events
Speaking to reporters in Jalgaon on Thursday, Khadse presented his perspective on the incident. He explained that approximately two and a half months earlier, he had submitted an application to Savda police regarding the theft of roughly 50,000 brass of soil, providing what he described as comprehensive evidence.
"Since the complaint had not been registered by the police, I raised the issue in the assembly in December 2025," Khadse stated. "This apparently agitated the concerned police officer. Initially, only a complaint application was taken from an officer of the irrigation department, and no FIR was registered. And now, despite the FIR, there is no investigation into the matter. Therefore, I went to the police officer to ask him why there is no investigation."
Khadse acknowledged that during the heated exchange, "in the heat of the moment, I uttered a bad word." However, he emphasized that within two minutes, I apologized for the word used against him.
Political Ramifications and Next Steps
The former minister has declared his intention to pursue counter-action against the police officer, stating: "Since the officer had avoided registering an FIR initially, and did not investigate the case, I would go to the police complaint authority and other senior officers to lodge a complaint against this officer."
This development represents a significant escalation in what began as Khadse's advocacy regarding alleged governmental corruption and theft of public resources. The case now involves serious criminal charges against a prominent political figure, raising questions about police-politician interactions and the handling of corruption investigations in Maharashtra.
The soil theft case itself involves substantial quantities of government property with significant monetary value, while the police station confrontation has now spawned separate legal proceedings that could have lasting implications for all parties involved.
