Mumbai cops to charge sheet Nanded man for threatening Devendra Fadnavis

Santosh Shivaji Kadam

Almost two years after a letter was found in the Mantralaya signed by Nanded-based Congress party worker Santosh Shivaji Kadam, who allegedly threatened to kill then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Marine Drive cops are set to file a charge sheet against him on November 10. Kadam had earlier claimed he had no connection with the letter and somebody was trying to frame him in the case. The subject line of the letter, which was found on October 5, 2019, read: About waving the BJP flag and threatening politicians using the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Officials at Mantralaya were immediately alerted and the Maharashtra Director General of Police and Mumbai Police Commissioner were asked to act on the letter. Accordingly, the Marine Drive Police registered an offence against Kadam under IPC section 506(2) (criminal intimidation).

Now, the cops have served a notice to Kadam asking him to appear at Killa Court on November 10, failing which summons or warrant could be issued against him. "As per the procedure, the accused has been summoned to attend the court proceedings when the charge sheet will be submitted," said an officer from the Marine Drive police station. Senior inspector Vishwanath Kolekar said, "I haven't received the charge sheet yet, so can't comment on the matter now."

The other side

When mid-day contacted Santosh Kadam, who has now become the sarpanch of Janapuri village, said, "I was shocked to see the letter asking me to visit Killa Court as a charge sheet will be filed against me. Since the time the offence was registered, I have not been arrested."

Kadam had received a summon from the Marine Drive Police on March 4 last year asking him to appear before the cops. "I provided documents related to the case and also an application claiming that I was being framed in the matter. The constable, who had come with the summon, took the documents and said that there was no need for me to go to Mumbai."

Murder threat

The letter that was found in the Mantralaya read: "You have broken parties by threatening them with action by ED and CBI or by luring them with different positions. I am not liking it. Because of your faulty economic policies, the state is facing an economic slowdown, leaving people like us in jeopardy. If I spot any of your BJP workers in my village, I shall kill you by entering the Mantralaya or Varsha Bungalow."

Seven complaints against Kadam

Since 2019, Kadam has been accused of extortion, intimidation and rape threats. An anonymous letter was sent to the President, Prime Minister and ED alleging that Kadam has black money. Seven such complaints have been sent to different police stations in Nanded since 2019. Tired of these allegations, Kadam filed a defamation and criminal intimidation offence against an unknown person in Shivaji Nagar police station (Nanded).