Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut slams BJP over party worker’s arrest in Mumbai airport gold smuggling case

Mumbai: Slamming BJP over the arrest of a party worker, Ajit Acharekar, for his alleged involvement in a gold smuggling racket at the city airport, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday demanded answers from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on the incident.

Acharekar, an employee with AI Airport Services Ltd employees, and six others were arrested by Directorate Revenue of Intelligence officers in the wee hours of Saturday for allegedly smuggling out of the airport over Rs 5 crore of gold dust mixed with wax.

Raut alleged that the state party president Ravindra Chavan “had inducted these people to make sure BJP has control over gold smuggling at Mumbai airport”.

In his post on X, Raut alleged: “Maharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan’s behavior, speech, glances, and gait have never suited the social and political culture of the state. In every election in Konkan, he has excessively used money. The district bank election was also captured in the same manner. Where does this much money come from for him? This question had occurred to many. The answer came last night! Chavan suddenly got involved in the airport workers’ union activities during that period. He broke other unions and gained control over the airport. He set up and supported gangs of thugs. And now, the same people have been arrested by DRI in the gold smuggling case! This matter is serious. If investigated deeply, it will reveal where BJP earns its money from. In the photo below, the people with whom the BJP president is shaking hands have been arrested by DRI! These people have ruined Maharashtra! (Devendra) Fadnavis, at least now get serious!”

He also shared photographs of Chavan with Acharekar when the latter joined BJP a few months ago.