BJP MLA arrested for murder of two Shiv Sena leaders

The Ahmednagar police on Monday arrested BJP legislator Shivaji Kardile in connection with the murder of Shiv Sena leaders Sanjay Kotkar and Vasant Thube on Saturday evening.

A press note issued by the Ahmednagar police on Sunday declared that the MLA, along with 53 others connected to the crime as well as with the subsequent vandalism of the Ahmednagar District Superintendent’s office, were absconding.

On Sunday, the police booked Mr. Kardile, with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLC Arun Jagtap (NCP legislator Sangram Jagtap’s father) and 30 others for allegedly hatching a conspiracy and executing the killings.

Mr. Kardile, MLA from Ahmednagar’s Rahuri Assembly constituency, however, denied having been ‘arrested’ by the police. He said he “voluntarily gave himself up” at the Bhingar police station on Monday morning.

“The police are investigating the crime and the culprits will be brought to justice. I have no relation with it. Since Saturday, the Opposition is besmirching some members of my family and me by linking our names with the murders. Seeing this, I voluntary decided to appear before the police and cooperate with the probe,” he told a local television channel.