• Source:JND
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Ajit Pawar-IPS Officer Row: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday broke his silence over a viral video in which he is seen threatening action against a woman IPS officer over the phone, saying his intention was not to interfere with law enforcement.

His reaction comes after the video went viral on social media, drawing criticism by the people for the minister. In the video, Pawar is seen threatening and ordering the lady IPS officer to stop her action against illegal soil excavation in Solapur. The two-minute viral video, Pawar is purportedly seen having a heated exchange with Anjana Krishna, a sub-divisional police officer, on a phone call.

"My attention has been drawn to certain videos circulating regarding my interaction with police officials in Solapur. Let me state clearly that my intention was not to interfere with law enforcement but to ensure that the situation on the ground remained calm and did not escalate further. I have the highest respect for our police force and its officers, including the women officers who serve with distinction and courage and I value the rule of law above all. I remain firmly committed to transparent governance and to ensuring that every illegal activity, including sand mining, is dealt with strictly as per the law," Pawar wrote a note on X.

Who Is Anjana Krishna?

Anjana Krishna VS, a 2022 batch Maharashtra cadre IPS officer who secured an AIR of 355 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, is serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Solapur district. Born in a business family in Thiruvananthapuram, she did her schooling at St Mary’s Central School in Kerala's capital city. Anjana pursued a Bachelor's in Mathematics from NSS, Neeramankara.  Her father runs a textile business and her mother is employed as a typist in the local courts.

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Home Minister Should Protest Young IPS Official: Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut slammed Pawar, urging Home Minister Amit Shah to protest the young IPS official.

"This entire issue involves illegal mining. A young IPS officer, Anjali Krushna, stopped the entire illegal mining operation in her area because it was causing a loss to the government treasury. She received complaints from the local people and managed to halt the work. Afterwards, the Deputy CM of Maharashtra threatened her over the phone, telling her that the people involved in that work are from his party and she must protect them. The woman officer replied that she would not engage in any illegal activity. Consequently, Ajit Pawar warned not to mess with him. This is what Ajit Pawar said... This clearly reflects the state of Maharashtra. I appeal to the Home Minister of this country to give protection to a young IPS officer," he said while addressing media.