Sharad Pawar helped Amit Shah get bail in 2010 CBI case, Sanjay Raut's big claim
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's upcoming book 'Narkatla Swarg' (Heaven in Hell), which chronicles his time in Arthur Road Jail and his encounters with investigative agencies, has stirred a political storm even before its formal release.Set to launch this Sunday in the presence of Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, the book's excerpts — accessed exclusively by India Today TV — have triggered sharp reactions in political circles.advertisementAmong the most explosive revelations is the claim that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder and former Union Minister Sharad Pawar used his influence during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era to secure bail for Amit Shah, who was then under the CBI scanner in a high-profile murder case in Gujarat.'SHARAD PAWAR HELPED AMIT SHAH GET BAIL'
In 2010, Shah was facing multiple charges and had been declared 'tadipar' (externed) from Gujarat. In his book, Raut claimed that a Maharashtra-cadre CBI officer was strongly opposing Shah's bail, and the UPA government — particularly the Congress — was actively pushing legal proceedings against him.According to the book, then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who had a fraught relationship with the UPA government, reached out to Sharad Pawar for help. Pawar, then a cabinet minister in the Manmohan Singh-led government, allegedly intervened and facilitated Shah's bail.'AMIT SHAH APPROACHED BAL THACKERAY'advertisementThe book goes further, recounting a second incident involving Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Sanjay Raut claimed that a Amit Shah, fearing imminent arrest despite having secured interim bail, made an unannounced visit to Matoshree — Thackeray's residence — along with his son Jay Shah. Denied entry on his first attempt due to tight security, Shah returned the next day and finally managed to meet the Sena patriarch.During their meeting, Raut claims, Shah reportedly grew emotional and appealed for help, telling Balasaheb Thackeray that his loyalty to Hindutva had now put him and his family at risk.Moved by the appeal, Balasaheb made a discreet but decisive phone call. "In whatever capacity and chair you may have, don't forget that you are Hindu also," Raut's book quotes Balasaheb Thackeray as saying to the unnamed recipient. That one call, according to Raut, eased the legal hurdles for Amit Shah and "played a pivotal role in shaping his political ascent".But the book doesn't stop at recounting favours. Raut notes with bitterness that Amit Shah, after rising to power, turned his back on those who once stood by him. "Amit Shah forgot all those favours, and behaved very cruelly with Shiv Sena and the Thackeray family," he writes.BJP, SHIV SENA REACTadvertisementReacting to Sajay Raut's claims, Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said that he was too old to read fiction stories meant for children."I have stopped reading fiction and stories. I am no longer at the age to read such things which are meant for children. So, I don't read them. Forget it, who is Sanjay Raut anyway? Is he some big leader?" Fadnavis said while speaking to reporters.Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) MP Sanjay Sirsat also rejected Sanjay Raut's claim, accusing him of creating fabricated stories."After spending time in jail, Sanjay Raut wrote a book titled Narakatla Swarg, in which he tried to create fabricated stories. Balasaheb Thackeray, whether helping Amit Shah or PM Modi, never boasted about it or spoke openly. Helping others quietly was his nature. But Sanjay Raut scripted a story," Sirsat said.Must Watch
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