Shiv Sena Leader Sanjay Rathod Quits as Maharashtra Minister over Woman’s Death

Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Rathod tendered his resignation from the state cabinet on Sunday.

Rathod said he quit after “dirty politics” over the death of a 23-year-old woman in Pune. The woman had died after falling from a building on February 8, and the opposition BJP has been linking Rathod to it, although the MLA from Digras in Yavatmal has denied all the allegations.

“I’ve given my resignation to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The way opposition is warning that they would not allow Assembly session to function, I have distanced myself from it. I want a fair probe in the case,” Rathod was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

On Saturday, another minister and Sena functionary Eknath Shinde had said Thackeray will take a call on Rathod after perusing investigation reports connected to the death.

Police is probing the case on the directives of the chief minister who will take a call on Rathod after he goes through the investigation reports, Shinde said in Ulhasnagar, Thane. The BJP has demanded that Rathod be sacked and the police probe his link to the case.