Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday, December 27, 2025, personally visited the grieving family of Mangesh Kalokhe in Raigad district, promising them that no one responsible for the brutal murder would be spared. The 45-year-old Kalokhe, husband of newly elected Khopoli municipal councillor Mansi Kalokhe, was attacked and killed with sharp weapons on December 26, just days after the civic election results were announced.
Political Storm Erupts Over Brutal Killing
The murder has ignited a fierce political firestorm in Raigad. Shiv Sena MLA Mahendra Thorve has labeled the killing as premeditated and an act of "revenge politics" following the municipal polls. He made a serious allegation, claiming the conspiracy was hatched at the residence of NCP state president Sunil Tatkare, whom he called the "strongman of Raigad." Tatkare swiftly rejected these claims, condemning the incident as cruel and urging against politicization, while calling for a thorough police investigation.
Police Action and Family's Demand
The Raigad police have registered an FIR against ten individuals in connection with the crime. Among those named is Sudhakar Ghare, the NCP Raigad district president. In a significant development, the police have arrested the main accused, Ravindra Devkar, and his son Darshan Devkar. The arrests came after eight special teams, formed under the supervision of Raigad SP Achal Dalal, intercepted the Devkars near Nagothane on Saturday morning.
During his meeting with the Kalokhe family, Deputy CM Shinde assured them he was "personally monitoring the case." The family has demanded that the accused be charged under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and receive the harshest possible punishment.
Electoral Backdrop and Assurances
The murder is deeply connected to the recent local body elections. Mansi Kalokhe had secured a victory from Ward No. 3 of the Khopoli Municipal Council, defeating her NCP rival by a significant margin of over 700 votes. The proximity of the murder to her electoral success has fueled allegations of a political motive.
Assuring the family and the public, Eknath Shinde stated, "I stand firmly with the Kalokhe family. Such incidents should never be repeated. Those behind the crime will be dealt with strictly." The case continues to develop as police pursue the remaining accused and political parties trade accusations, keeping Raigad district on edge.
