Maharashtra minister’s son claims innocence, opposition seeks CBI probe

MUMBAI - Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane’s son Nitesh, accused of an attempt to murder after he allegedly fired at a party activist, Friday said he was being framed by vested interests, while opposition parties demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Nitesh told mediapersons that he was not guilty and was being framed by vested interests.

“Let the police complete its probe, then the entire truth will be revealed,” he said.

Leader of Opposition in the assembly Eknath Khadse demanded a CBI probe into the alleged murder attempt.

Terming the allegations against Nitesh, president of NGO Swabhiman Sanghatana as “a very serious issue”, Khadse said that it needs an impartial probe and since the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party is in power and (Narayan) Rane belongs to the Congress, there were chances that police could be partial.

“The government is trying to protect him (Nitesh Rane). In order to ensure a fair and transparent probe, the case must be handed over to CBI,” Khadse told media persons.

Supporting the demand, Bharatiya Janata Party state president Sudhir Mungantiwar said that the Congress was once a party of workers. “Today it is a party of sons of leaders. Strong action must be taken against Nitesh Rane if there is a case against him,” he urged.

Mumbai police were on the lookout for Nitesh and two others - Nitin Vardhanarayan and Zahid Shaikh - in connection with the alleged murder bid on Shamim Jamaluddin Shaikh alias Chintu, 35, an activist of his NGO, late Thursday night.

Though investigations are on and a case of attempt to murder has been registered by Khar Police, there have been no arrests or detention in the case so far.

According to Shaikh, he had gone to meet Nitesh at his office in Khar west Thursday and offered him some sweets for a birth in the (Rane) family.

However, Nitesh and his men suddenly started abusing and assaulting him.

Even as he tried to escape, Nitesh allegedly whipped out a revolver and shot in the direction of Shaikh, who sustained a bullet injury on the right cheek and was admitted to Hiranandani Hospital, Powai.