NCP (SP) women’s wing president Rohini Khadse, daughter of former minister Eknath Khadse, on Saturday alleged that her husband Pranjal Khewalkar’s arrest in a Pune “drug party” case reflects a pattern of targeting opposition leaders who criticize the BJP-led Mahayuti government.

Speaking to reporters after meeting party chief Sharad Pawar in Pune, Khadse called the July 27 raid on a Kharadi studio apartment, where Khewalkar and six others were arrested, politically motivated. “Everyone in Maharashtra knows action is taken against those who speak against the government,” she said.

Khadse, refraining from commenting on the sub-judice case, promised to address the police’s claims—seizure of 2.7 grams of cocaine-like substance, 70 grams of ganja-like substance, hookah setups, and liquor—at a future press conference. “There are answers to all questions about drugs, chats, and videos,” she asserted, hinting at surveillance misuse. Khewalkar, a doctor and businessman, was remanded to judicial custody until August 10, with his lawyer alleging he was framed by a female accused, Isha Singh.

The arrests, following a 3:30 AM raid by Pune’s Crime Branch, have sparked a political firestorm. Eknath Khadse and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders like Sanjay Raut have labeled it a “conspiracy” to silence critics, citing his vocal stance on a honey-trap scandal involving BJP minister Girish Mahajan.

With 1,246 NDPS cases in Maharashtra in 2024, the opposition claims selective enforcement, while the BJP insists the law applies equally.

Also Read: Pune Drug Party Case: Ex-Minister’s Son-in-Law Among Five Sent to Judicial Custody

Also Read: Khadse Claims Son-in-Law’s Drug Arrest is a Plot to Defame Him