In a significant development, NCP (SP) MLA and group leader Jeetendra Awhad has filed an FIR against Rupali Thombre, a leader associated with NCP’s Ajit Pawar faction, for allegedly circulating a fabricated WhatsApp chat between him and NCP supporter Shivraj Bangar. The chat, which went viral, was claimed to have been doctored and misrepresented by Thombre on social media.
The issue arose after the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the Sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district. Following Deshmukh’s tragic death, political leaders from various parties have united to demand justice for his family. Local residents and representatives have accused Valmik Karad of being the mastermind behind the killing. However, there are allegations that minister Dhananjay Munde and his party (NCP-AP) are backing Karad. On Saturday, A protest march was organised in Beed demanding Karad’s arrest and justice for the Deshmukh family, with Awhad also participating.
Thombre, however, cast doubt on the purpose of the march and made serious accusations against Awhad. She shared a WhatsApp chat screenshot on the social media platform X, claiming it was a conversation between Awhad and Bangar. In the message, Awhad allegedly discusses gathering funds and support for the march, which raises questions about its true motives.
The shared chat includes a message suggesting that the march could potentially involve Muslims and Dalits, with mentions of funding and organising materials for the protest. It also references derogatory comments about Munde and Ajit Pawar.
Awhad denied any involvement in the conversation, labeling the chat as a ‘morphed’ version, and criticised Thombre for circulating it without verifying its authenticity. Awhad explained that the number used in the fake chat is his regular WhatsApp number, which was falsely represented as a business account by those behind the hoax.
Awhad claimed that his WhatsApp display picture features Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, rather than a personal photo which is shown in doctored chat display.
Awhad has formally registered a complaint at Shivajinagar Police Station in Beed, alongside several other local leaders, demanding action against those responsible for the fabrication of the chat and the spreading of misinformation.
