Mumbai, April 14: Authorities have apprehended five individuals in connection with a significant security breach at the Maharashtra Assembly, where fake entry passes were allegedly used to gain access during the recent budget session. The arrests were made by the Marine Drive Police following an investigation triggered by concerns raised by Industries Minister Uday Samant.
The fraudulent operation involved the creation and distribution of counterfeit passes, some of which were sold for amounts ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000. Initial findings suggest that fake requisition letters, purportedly from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), were used to generate approximately 30 fraudulent passes. One of the accused, Dattatray Gunjal, allegedly created a pass for himself, falsely identifying his designation as ‘Advisor to the Chief Minister’s Office,’ complete with his photograph and a forged Mantralaya stamp.
The accused, identified as Dattatray Keshav Gunjal, Ganpat Bhau Jawale, Nagesh Shivaji Patil, Manoj Ananda Morbale, and Swapnil Ramesh Tayde, were apprehended on March 25. Their mobile phones have been confiscated for forensic examination as part of the ongoing probe. Police are also seeking two other Mantralaya employees, Mahesh Dumpalwar and Lavesh Shankar Nakate, who are reportedly absconding.
The incident has intensified scrutiny over security protocols within the Vidhan Bhavan, a high-security government facility. Investigators are working to determine the full extent of the racket, including how the fake passes were produced, who authorized the process, and whether any insider assistance was involved. A constable from the Local Arms unit has also been questioned as the investigation expands to uncover potential complicity from within the government machinery.
The Maharashtra Assembly’s budget session, during which the security breach occurred, commenced on February 23 and concluded on March 25. The budget presented on March 6 outlined a financial plan of ₹7.69 lakh crore, including a crop loan waiver and other farmer welfare schemes.
The Chenab Times News Desk