Koregaon Bhima Probe Heats Up: Commission Weighs Arrest Warrant Against Uddhav Thackeray After No-Show on Sharad Pawar Letter

Mumbai: The tensions surrounding the Koregaon Bhima Inquiry Commission escalated sharply on Tuesday after former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray failed to appear before the panel despite a formal notice directing him to submit a crucial document linked to the 2018 violence case. The commission, which has been probing the caste violence near Pune for nearly six years, is now considering an application seeking a non-bailable arrest warrant against the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief.

The controversy stems from a letter that senior NCP–SP leader Sharad Pawar had reportedly written to Thackeray during his tenure as Chief Minister, containing observations and concerns about the Koregaon Bhima incident. The commission had asked Pawar to produce the letter, but the veteran leader informed the panel that he no longer possessed a copy. This led the commission to instruct Thackeray to submit the document from his records.

Despite receiving an official notice, neither Thackeray nor any representative turned up for Tuesday’s hearing. No written explanation or document was filed, which prompted Adv. Kiran Kadam — appearing for Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar — to move an application urging the commission to issue an arrest warrant. According to the application, Thackeray’s non-compliance amounts to wilfully ignoring the commission’s directives, making coercive action necessary to ensure accountability.

During the previous hearing, the commission had already questioned why an arrest warrant should not be issued if Thackeray failed to respond. His absence on Tuesday added fuel to the legal demand for stronger action. The commission has reserved its decision and is expected to issue a ruling soon.

The Koregaon Bhima Inquiry Commission, whose tenure formally ended in October, has been granted yet another extension — this time until March next year — to complete its remaining proceedings. The panel has been tasked with examining administrative lapses, political communication, and the chain of events that led to the January 1, 2018 violence that shook Maharashtra.