Prashant Koratkar allegedly fled to Dubai, claims MPPC

In Nagpur, MPCC president Harshwardhan Sapkal criticized the BJP-led government for the escape of former journalist Prashant Koratkar. Koratkar is accused of insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which caused a stir across Maharashtra. Despite being under police protection, he allegedly fled to Dubai, raising questions about the effectiveness of the state's law enforcement. Sapkal claimed that the administration was complicit in Koratkar's escape and demanded answers from the home department. He expressed frustration, saying, "Was the home department asleep as Koratkar escaped?" He pointed out that Koratkar had connections with high-ranking officers and claimed this may have aided his flight. In response, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denied the allegations, calling reports about Koratkar fleeing "misleading." He assured the public that police were actively searching for him and would take appropriate action. Sapkal also highlighted the growing law and order issues in Maharashtra. He mentioned rising crime rates, including serious incidents like a rape case and a murder, and expressed concern over police control. "Criminals roam free while dissenters are targeted," he said. The MPCC chief criticized the government's selective law enforcement. He questioned why certain figures, like actor Rahul Solapurkar, received police protection after insulting Shivaji Maharaj, while others faced repercussions for their comments. Sapkal raised alarms about drug sales in Pune and urged for an investigation into potential links to shipments from Gujarat. Congress leaders plan to continue their protests until action is taken against Koratkar and broader issues of crime and governance are addressed.