Akola West MLA Sajid Pathan to Receive Y-Plus Security After Gangster Threat
The Maharashtra government announced that Congress MLA Sajid Pathan from Akola West will be provided with a 'Y-plus' security cover within 24 hours. This decision follows an extortion threat the legislator received from gangster Shubham Lonkar, which was raised by opposition leaders during a legislative session.
Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam made the announcement in the legislative council. The issue was brought forward by Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap in the council and Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Vijay Wadettiwar in the legislative assembly.
Jagtap revealed that Pathan received a threatening call from Lonkar, who warned the MLA that he would meet the same fate as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique. Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai’s Bandra area in October 2024.
According to Jagtap, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had previously promised Pathan Y-plus security during the budget session earlier this year after a similar threat. Kadam assured the legislature that the 11-personnel security cover would be deployed immediately and that the government would investigate why the previous security assurance was not implemented.
Speaking on the matter, Pathan expressed alarm over the recurring threats. He stated that when he first received a threat in February, the Chief Minister had called him at midnight to assure protection, which was initially provided. However, the threats resumed. Pathan questioned how he could receive an extortion call just hours after the Chief Minister declared in the House that gangs would be eliminated.
CLP leader Wadettiwar questioned the state's law and order situation and demanded that elected representatives facing credible threats receive protection similar to that provided to filmmaker Rohit Shetty.
In response, Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane accused the opposition of politicising the issue, reiterating that the Chief Minister had already guaranteed the safety of all legislators. Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai requested the opposition to submit all details regarding the threat call to facilitate action. Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar concluded that the government is responsible for the safety of public representatives and promised appropriate security based on threat assessments.
