Mumbai: In the aftermath of a shocking brawl inside Maharashtra’s Vidhan Bhavan between supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar has announced firm disciplinary measures.
Based on a detailed report from the House Security Committee, criminal proceedings are being initiated against Nitin Hindurao Deshmukh (41), identified as a close aide of Awhad, and Sarjerao Baban Takle (37), maternal uncle of Padalkar. Both individuals have also been referred to the Legislative Assembly’s Privileges Committee for breaching the dignity of the House.
The incident occurred on July 17 around 5:45 pm near the main porch of Vidhan Bhavan during an ongoing session. Without valid entry passes or permission, both men allegedly entered the Assembly premises and physically attacked each other, leading to immediate security intervention.
Speaker Narvekar called the incident “extremely serious and unprecedented in the history of the House,” adding that it severely damaged the sanctity of the legislature. “The Vidhan Sabha is a temple of democracy. Members have a duty to preserve its sanctity,” he emphasized.
He also warned against bringing unauthorized individuals into the Assembly. “If members bring intrusive outsiders here, they are fully responsible for their behaviour,” he said, noting the potential risk to the institution’s dignity and safety.
In response, Narvekar directed both Jitendra Awhad and Gopichand Padalkar to formally express regret for their supporters’ involvement in the clash. He appealed to all legislators to uphold discipline and avoid such incidents in the future, reinforcing the importance of ethical conduct within democratic spaces.
