Mumbai: Shiv Sena senior leader Ramdas Kadam has made serious allegations against certain police officers in Navi Mumbai, accusing them of deliberately targeting and defaming his son, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam.
Sawali Bar at the Centre of Controversy
Speaking at a press conference in Ratnagiri on Sunday, Ramdas Kadam claimed that some police officers had attempted to pressurize Yogesh Kadam into refraining from taking action against bars in Vashi. However, since Yogesh did not comply, he is now allegedly being targeted through the controversy surrounding the "Sawali Bar" in Kandivali.
Minister’s Mother Named in Bar Records
The controversy intensified after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab raised questions in the Legislative Council about the bar, alleging that it was operating illegally and was linked to the Kadam family. Parab stated that during a police raid at Sawali Bar in Kandivali, 22 bar girls, four customers, and four staff members were detained. He also pointed out that the bar was registered under the name of Jyoti Ramdas Kadam mother of Minister Yogesh Kadam prompting opposition demands for the minister’s resignation.
Licences Surrendered Before Legislative Query
Responding to these claims, Ramdas Kadam dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. He criticised Anil Parab for “deliberately defaming” his son and called him a “half-baked lawyer.” Ramdas Kadam presented an agreement document showing that the hotel had been leased to an individual named Sharad Shetty, with explicit clauses (Columns 6 and 7) stating that no illegal activities were to be conducted and that the owner would not be held responsible for any violations by the operator.
He further clarified that both the orchestra and hotel licenses had already been surrendered on July 13 five days before Anil Parab raised the issue in the legislature on July 18. “There is no connection between the minister and this bar anymore,” Kadam insisted. He added that misleading statements were made in the legislature, and they have submitted a petition to the House Chairperson demanding the removal of such allegations from the records.
Focus Shifts to Urban Policing and Bar Licenses
“There is no question of resignation. The matter is being blown out of proportion to mislead the public,” Ramdas Kadam asserted. He also emphasized that the licences were surrendered as soon as irregularities were discovered.
The political sparring between Anil Parab and Ramdas Kadam has intensified ever since the Sawali Bar controversy erupted, turning into a significant flashpoint in the ongoing session of the Maharashtra legislature.
