Fadnavis orders probe of video allegedly showing BJP MP Kirit Somaiya in compromising position

Kirit Somaiya, BJP leader and former MP, seeks probe into authenticity of video allegedly showing him in compromising position. Opposition parties lash out, claiming video exposes BJP and Eknath Shinde-led govt.'s hypocrisy.

BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya wrote to Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, seeking a probe to verify the authenticity of a video allegedly showing him in a compromising position.

The video went viral after it was aired by a Marathi news channel. Opposition parties lashed out at Mr. Somaiya, the ruling BJP, and the Eknath Shinde-led government, claiming that the explicit clip has exposed their hypocrisy.

In a tweet on Tuesday morning, Mr. Somaiya said, “A video clip of me was shown on a news channel. Claimed that I have harassed many women & many such video clips available & complaints received against Me. I have never abused any woman.”

The BJP leader, known for his strident corruption exposes of Opposition leaders, drew predictable flak from the leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, particularly from the Shiv Sena (UBT).

Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve claimed that he was in possession of a pen drive which contained eight hours of footage, and included 35 allegedly indecent clips featuring Mr. Somaiya.

Mr. Danve handed over the pen drive to Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe in the Legislative Council on Tuesday, remarking that it had videos of a leader who claimed to be close to Central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

“I salute the woman who gave me the videos of this person who has CISF [Central Industrial Security Force] protection. We demand to know whether the woman was being extorted?” Mr. Danve said.