Police stated that social media influencer and activist Santosh Pandit was taken into custody from his residence at Narayan Peth Pune, a midnight hours of Thursday for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Maharashtra minister Chandrakant Patil. Pandit has been highlighting civic concerns and sharing videos on social media.
The detention occurred a day after Pandit shared a video on social media showing footage of a BJP workers’ meeting in Pune, where the venue’s parking lot was filled with luxury cars that he claimed belonged to BJP members.
He raised concerns over the police protection provided to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gopichand Padalkar, noting that he is not a minister in the Mahayuti government and allegedly does not have the mandatory high-security registration plate (HSRP) on his vehicle.
The incident was captured on video and shared across social media platforms. Subsequently, an audio recording allegedly featuring Padalkar’s associates verbally abusing Pandit emerged online.
In March, a woman filed a complaint accusing Pandit of allegedly abusing her, making objectionable comments about her attire, filming her without her consent, and behaving in a sexually inappropriate and intimidating manner during the coverage of a protest.
On August 30, BJP leader Sunil Pandey filed a complaint against Pandit for his comments about Patil.
Pandit released a video showing his detention and alleged that police treat activists unfairly. In the video, Pandit is seen handing over his keys to an associate and his mobile phone to police before being taken into custody.
Pandit urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to pay attention to the way the police handled an activist. “If the police can come to my house at 1 a.m. and take me away, what can an ordinary citizen expect? Is this how the administration intends to treat people who ask questions?” Pandit said in the video.
Runal Mulla, a police officer, said Pandit was taken into custody over his remarks against Patil as per the First Information Report Pandey lodged. “He will be arrested soon as the process is underway,” Mulla said.
On August 30, police filed a case against two individuals, including Pandit, following a complaint by Pandey. According to the police, a video shared by Pandit on the social media account “Rajkaran Express” contained derogatory, abusive, and allegedly defamatory comments about Patil.
He was charged under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 356, 296, and 3(5), which pertain to criminal defamation, public obscenity, and joint criminal liability (common intention).
