A video has surfaced of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar purportedly chiding a woman IPS officer who was in the midst of taking action against illegal excavation of ‘murrum’ soil in Solapur district.
NCP, however, claimed that Mr. Pawar didn’t intend to stop the action but might have berated the officer to placate party workers.
It also said that the clip of the incident, which reportedly took place two days ago, has been intentionally leaked.
VIDEO | Former Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate reacts to Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar's viral video that purportedly shows him pressuring a woman IPS officer to stop action against illegal soil excavation in Solapur. He says,
"You'll find one out of 10… pic.twitter.com/sqJUKjN7pW — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 5, 2025
In the video aired on regional news channels, Mr. Pawar purportedly spoke to Anjana Krishna, sub-divisional police officer, Karmala, from the phone of an NCP worker. However, the Indian Police Service (IPS) officer did not recognise his voice.
Mr. Pawar then made a video call to the police officer and purportedly sternly asked her to stop action against illegal excavation of murrum, which is widely used as a sub-base and filling material for road construction.
As per the viral clip, Krishna was heard saying she could not figure out that the deputy CM was talking to her. Mr. Pawar then asked if she recognises his face.
VIDEO | Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule reacts to Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar's viral video that purportedly shows him pressuring a woman IPS officer to stop action against illegal soil excavation in Solapur.
He says, "We call officers to talk.… pic.twitter.com/TF9Qw77k8m — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 5, 2025
NCP state president Sunil Tatkare said the video has been deliberately leaked.
“Ajit Dada may have chided the IPS officer to placate party workers. He didn’t mean to stop the action completely,” Mr. Tatkare said.
Ajit Pawar is known for his straight talk and never supports any illegal activity, said Mr. Tatkare. “He perhaps meant to stop the action briefly just to defuse the situation,” added the NCP leader.
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