Eknath Shinde

In June 2022, Eknath Shinde led a rebellion by Shiv Sena legislators that deprived Uddhav Thackeray's government of its majority. He subsequently became Chief Minister with BJP support. The events triggered litigation over the Governor's powers, party whips, disqualification requests and party legitimacy.

State of the evidence

political split, institutional decisions and constitutional litigation documented

Legal status — source text

Supreme Court ruled that the Governor's decision to require a floor test in 2022 was unjustified, without reinstating Uddhav Thackeray, who had resigned; litigation over Shiv Sena's name and symbol remained before Supreme Court in August 2026

Attribution

direct political responsibility as leader of the rebellion and beneficiary of the new majority; no personal criminal offence established

An election petition challenging the 2024 Chandivali result alleged that Eknath Shinde had visited the constituency and engaged in activity amounting to campaigning during the silence period on polling day. The court distinguished a possible breach of the silence rule from a 'corrupt practice' or proof that the election result had been materially affected.

State of the evidence

detailed allegations and High Court judgment documented

Legal status — source text

Bombay High Court ruled in 2026 that the alleged facts, if proven, could fall under section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, but dismissed the petition for failing to allege a sufficient material effect on the result; no personal breach definitively established

Attribution

personal allegation concerning Shinde's presence and activities on polling day; breach must not be presented as established

After a Kunal Kamra comedy sketch targeted Shinde using the term 'gaddar' ('traitor'), Shiv Sena activists vandalised The Habitat in Mumbai. An FIR was also registered against Kamra. The case prompted nationwide debate over freedom of satire, use of the police and the violent response of political activists.

State of the evidence

FIR, arrests and vandalism documented

Legal status — source text

at least 12 activists from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena were arrested; no evidence retained that Shinde ordered the vandalism

Attribution

Shinde was directly targeted by the sketch and led the party whose activists vandalised the venue; violence not personally attributed to him without evidence

An Indian Express investigation based on RTI documents showed that Rs 500 crore from a BMC fund had been allocated to each of the 21 BJP–Shinde Sena alliance legislators who requested funding, while opposition legislators received no approvals during the period examined.

State of the evidence

allocations documented through RTI data and press investigation

Legal status — source text

no personal conviction; opposition called for an investigation

Attribution

institutional responsibility of the Shinde government and ruling alliance; allocations must not be presented as Shinde's personal embezzlement

Manoj Jarange-Patil's campaign for recognition of Marathas as Kunbi placed the Shinde government under considerable pressure. On 1 September 2023, police used batons and tear gas in Antarwali Sarati, injuring protesters and officers. The government subsequently began negotiations and took several provisional decisions concerning Kunbi certificates.

State of the evidence

protests, use of force and government negotiations documented

Legal status — source text

no personal criminal proceedings against Shinde; administrative investigations and withdrawal of cases against certain protesters announced

Attribution

political responsibility as Chief Minister; the police chain of command fell directly under Fadnavis's Home Department

As Urban Development Minister, Shinde had ordered the regularisation of Nagpur Improvement Trust plots intended for beneficiaries of a housing scheme. In 2022, the opposition alleged that the order had enabled the transfer of land valued much more highly for approximately Rs 2 crore while the matter was subject to litigation.

State of the evidence

administrative order, judicial observations and withdrawal documented

Legal status — source text

Bombay High Court examined the matter; Shinde withdrew his order after being informed of the legal dispute; no personal criminal conviction

Attribution

personal responsibility as former Urban Development Minister who signed the disputed order