Special Correspondent
Pune: After the recent high-profile raid on a rave party in Pune’s Kharadi area, which led to the arrest of former minister Eknath Khadse’s son-in-law Dr. Pranjal Khewalkar, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has issued a strong clarification to dispel doubts and speculation circulating in the public domain and on social media.
Speaking at a press conference, Commissioner Kumar asserted that the police action was completely transparent, lawful, and based on credible intelligence inputs. “There should be no doubt about the integrity of this operation. The raid was conducted in accordance with all legal procedures, and there was no political interference,” he stated.
Amid claims that videos and photographs from the party had surfaced online, Kumar made it clear that no visual content was shared or leaked by the police department. “We have not released a single image or video from the raid. The only thing we shared was official and factual information — names of the accused, the substances seized, and details of the FIR,” he said.
He also clarified that if any individual at the scene had clicked photos or recorded videos, the police could not be held responsible for that. “We cannot restrict private citizens from taking photos or videos during public incidents. However, Pune Police has maintained full confidentiality and has not leaked any material to the media or others,” Kumar added.
According to the police chief, the raid wasn’t random but the result of specific and credible information received by the Crime Branch. “We were informed that a party involving the consumption of narcotics and alcohol was being held in a private apartment in Kharadi. Our team acted swiftly and conducted the raid strictly under the NDPS Act,” he explained.
Media Was Given Only Official Briefing
Commissioner Kumar further stated that all media outlets were given a structured and legal briefing after the operation. “We shared an official list of items seized — including 2.7 grams of cocaine, 70 grams of marijuana, and bottles of liquor — and confirmed the names of the arrested individuals. Beyond this, nothing else was released,” he emphasized.
Kumar underscored that no person is above the law, irrespective of their political background or family ties.
We treated this case like any other. The identity or political affiliations of the accused had no bearing on the decision to act. Our only concern was the information and the law,” he said.
He also dismissed any talk of political influence or selective targeting. “This was not a witch-hunt. It was an intelligence-driven operation that was handled professionally and within legal bounds.”
Context: Rave Party Raid Shocks Political Circles
The raid, which took place late Saturday night, exposed a house party in an upscale Kharadi apartment where narcotics were being consumed. Among those arrested was Dr. Pranjal Khewalkar, who is married to Rohini Khadse, the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) women’s wing president and daughter of veteran leader Eknath Khadse.
The incident sparked widespread debate due to the political profile of those involved. As soon as visuals began circulating online, many speculated whether the police were behind the leaks — a claim now firmly denied by the Police Commissioner.
In conclusion, Commissioner Kumar appealed to the public to not fall for misinformation or rumors. Please rely only on verified sources and do not jump to conclusions. Pune Police remains committed to impartial, lawful, and transparent enforcement,” he said.
