: In a significant crackdown, Nashik city police arrested BJP functionary Babasaheb alias Mama Rajwade on Friday in connection with an attempted murder case, just hours before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was scheduled to visit the city.
Rajwade, who was previously affiliated with Shiv Sena (UBT), had joined the BJP a few months ago. His arrest is part of a broader police campaign targeting criminals across political lines.
The arrest stems from a case registered at Sarkarwada police station on September 29, where Sachin Salunke, a 28-year-old used vehicle trader, was allegedly abducted and attacked by a gang of five to six men. The assailants reportedly beat Salunke severely, fired gunshots at him and a friend, and fractured the rib of one of his relatives during the violent assault around 1 a.m. in the Ramwadi area.
So far, police have arrested four people in the case, including Sagar Bagul, the nephew of Sunil Bagul—another former Shiv Sena (UBT) member who joined the BJP alongside Rajwade.
This arrest follows another high-profile detention on Wednesday, when RPI North Maharashtra office-bearer Prakash Londhe and his son Deepak were taken into custody by Satpur police in a kidnapping case.
The police’s recent moves signal a strong stance against crime in Nashik, regardless of political affiliation.
