Framed for Keeping the Peace? Sarpanch Booked in False Atrocity Case in Walwad Within 30 Minutes of Clashes
AHILYANAGAR / KARJAT — Serious questions have been raised over police conduct and local political rivalry after Ketan Pandule, former Sarpanch and public servant of Walwad village in Karjat taluka, was booked under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act within 30 minutes of a local scuffle, despite reportedly attempting to de-escalate the situation.
The Incident
According to a formal memorandum submitted by Pandule to the District Collector and senior police authorities, the confrontation took place on October 13, 2026, during the annual foot procession carrying the holy flame (Palkhi Jyot) from Mohatadevi to Walwad.
As the procession approached the Tukaidevi temple, a heated altercation and verbal abuse broke out near the local Samaj Mandir with 200 to 300 villagers present. Pandule stated that he rushed to the spot in his capacity as a village representative purely to break up the fight, prevent further violence, and maintain law and order.
Pre-Planned Conspiracy? Audio Recording Handed Over
In a critical development, Pandule revealed that the complainant had called his mobile phone at 4:00 PM on the same day—hours before the incident—warning him that clashes would occur that evening and telling him to stay away.
“If the complainant had prior knowledge of impending clashes, why was law enforcement not informed in advance?” Pandule questioned in his petition. Suspecting a deliberate setup to lure him to the location and frame him, Pandule has formally submitted a pen drive containing audio recordings of the phone call to the authorities as key evidence.
Public Outcry Over Hasty Police Action
Local villagers have expressed sharp outrage over the swiftness of the action taken by the Mirajgaon Police Station, pointing out that an FIR (No. 0372) was registered without any preliminary ground inquiry. Local residents also alleged that two young men from underprivileged backgrounds were unnecessarily rounded up and arrested in connection with the clash, while another individual remains absconding.
Pandule has formally appealed to Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, the Home Department, and the Superintendent of Police, demanding:
An immediate, impartial inquiry and the removal of his name from the FIR.
Preservation and forensic analysis of village CCTV footage from the route and incident site.
A thorough probe into the phone records and prior criminal background of the complainant’s family to uncover any broader political conspiracy.