A Critical Analysis
Pradeep Ramteke
Editor-in-Chief
On February 25, 2026, Manisha Milind Mhaiskar—Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, Government of Maharashtra—sent a communication via email from the Home Ministry Secretariat to the Director General of Police (Maharashtra State), the Revenue Minister’s Secretariat (Mumbai), Chandrapur District Collector Vinay Gowda, Chandrapur District Superintendent of Police Sudarshan Mummaka, Chimur Sub-Divisional Officer Kishore Ghadge, Chimur Tehsildar Shridhar Rajmane, the Chimur Station House Officer, and the Bhisi Station House Officer. Through this communication, she issued directives instructing them to initiate necessary action to put an end to all illegal activities operating within Chimur Taluka. However, it has become evident that Manisha Milind Mhaiskar—the Additional Chief Secretary to the Home Minister of Maharashtra State—was effectively disrespected by the Collector of Chandrapur, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Chandrapur, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Chimur, the Tehsildar of Chimur, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Chimur, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Chimur, and the SHO of Bhisi; for they chose to disregard the instructions she had sent via email regarding the closure of illegal activities within the Chimur taluka.
Furthermore, by essentially declaring, “We will allow all manner of illegal activities to continue in Chimur taluka, yet we will not comply with the directives issued by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Ministry,” the concerned officials within Chandrapur district have, through their obstinate attitude, conveyed a peculiar and highly inappropriate message—implying that neither the Home Ministry nor Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis holds any significance in their eyes.
Who is the ‘Kingpin’ of the Mafia?
Who is this ‘Kingpin’ of the mafia—the individual preventing the shutdown of illegal activities, including prostitution, within the Chimur taluka? This very question serves to expose the terrifying and sinister reality lurking beneath the surface of these illicit operations. However, the kingpin of the mafia operating illegal businesses in Chimur Taluka is a notorious bandit and goon who, within Chandrapur district, provides “political patronage” to the concerned officials.
Consequently, a far more serious question arises: Is this kingpin treating even the likes of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and the Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra State as if he has them “wrapped up in his pocket”—much like a wad of currency notes?
Instructions from the Maharashtra State DGP to the SP, Chandrapur…
On April 4, 2026, Mr. Sadanand Date, the Director General of Police for Maharashtra State, sent an email to Mr. Sudarshan Mumakka, the Superintendent of Police (SP) for Chandrapur District. In this email, he explicitly directed that all types of illegal activities in Chimur Taluka—including prostitution—must be shut down, and that the complainant be informed regarding the action taken.
However, even as the third day since this directive begins, it appears that the Chandrapur District SP has not yet demonstrated the necessary sensitivity or diligence required to put an end to the illegal businesses in Chimur Taluka.
The Superintendent of Police, Chandrapur…
The Chandrapur District SP, Mr. Sudarshan Mumakka, possesses comprehensive and detailed information regarding the illegal businesses operating in Chimur Taluka. In fact, he is reportedly aware of the identities of 70 percent of the mafia members involved.
Given this knowledge, why does he still hesitate to step forward and take action to halt these illegal activities in Chimur Taluka? How is one to interpret his continued silence?
Is he an officer of exemplary duty and unquestionable integrity, or is he an officer who sidelines his responsibilities, chooses to remain passive, and turns a blind eye to the illegal businesses plaguing Chimur Taluka?
Are the Sub-Divisional Officer and Tehsildar of Chimur “Derelict” Officers?
On February 25, 2026, an email was dispatched from the Home Minister’s Secretariat to Mr. Kishore Ghadge (Sub-Divisional Officer, Chimur) and Mr. Shridhar Rajmane (Tehsildar, Chimur), directing them to put an end to the illegal excavation of sand and murrum (gravel) within Chimur Taluka.
However, both of these responsible officials have effectively turned their backs on the issue of these illegal activities. …and in doing so, they have effectively thrown the doors wide open for the sand and gravel mafia to engage in the large-scale theft of mineral wealth.
Consequently, Sub-Divisional Officer Kishore Ghadge and Chimur Tehsildar Shridhar Rajmane have—by completely disregarding the aforementioned email—effectively defied and made a mockery of the Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department), Manisha Milind Mhaiskar (IAS).
Are the Station Officers of Chimur and Bhisi also derelict in their duties?
Since Station Officer Dinesh Labde is a hand-picked favorite of MLA Kirtikumar Bhangadia, it appears that his professional conduct—specifically regarding the sensitivity and integrity required in the discharge of his duties—has become completely subservient to political influence.
As for Bhisi Station Officer Mangesh Bhongade—who acts entirely on his own whims—it seems that, for the time being, his professional duties and accomplishments extend no further than the four walls of the police station building itself.
Both of these responsible Station Officers received the email from the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department on February 25, 2026; yet, they too have simply “shelved” or completely ignored the directive issued by the Ministry.
Prostitution in Chimur…
Acting on information provided by residents of Manik Nagar, Chimur, Station Officer Dinesh Labde and his team took three young women—who were engaged in prostitution—into custody from Manik Nagar between 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM on the evening of April 1, 2026, and transported them to the Chimur Police Station.
However, after these three young women were brought to the Chimur Police Station, what exactly became of them? Were they released, or were they detained elsewhere? And what, precisely, was the reason behind their subsequent release?
What was the motive? Who was being shielded, such that those three young women were not subjected to a rigorous interrogation? Many such questions are currently being raised.
Furthermore, there is intense local speculation within Chimur city that prostitution rackets are operating at various locations.
A year ago, a raid was conducted on a hotel in Chimur in connection with prostitution. During that raid, between 35 and 38 female students were taken into custody. However, local gossip suggests that the matter was hushed up—and the case effectively buried on the spot—after the students involved were reprimanded.
Nevertheless, in light of the recent incident dated April 1, 2026, it appears that this older case has once again gained momentum in public discourse.
Illegal Rackets within Chimur Taluka…
While large-scale illegal operations involving sand and gravel extraction continue unabated, revenue and police officials in Chimur appear to be fast asleep at the wheel.
Similarly—and in blatant defiance of police duties within Chimur Taluka—the unbridled supply of country liquor to villages and hamlets, along with its brazen, open-market sale across the countryside, is truly astonishing.
Additionally, gambling rackets are flourishing in Chimur, Shankarpur, Bhisi, Neri, Jambhulghat, Motegaon, and various other villages.
Who is the Mafia Kingpin?
Who is the “Godfather”—the ringleader of this criminal mafia—who sustains, and intends to continue sustaining, these large-scale illegal operations within Chimur Taluka? This is a question of paramount importance.
For it appears—judging by their dereliction of duty—that the Chandrapur District Collector, the Chandrapur District Superintendent of Police, the Chimur Sub-Divisional Officer, the Chimur SDPO, the Chimur Police Station In-charge, and the Bhisi Police Station In-charge are all intimidated by this mafia kingpin. Furthermore, given that this mafia kingpin—by instilling fear in local Chandrapur officials as well as those in Chimur Taluka—is enabling the continued operation of illegal rackets, the critical question arises: who exactly is this mafia boss who holds such sway over the authorities? This is a grave matter requiring Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to personally investigate the identity of this individual and ensure his immediate arrest.
The issue of illegal sand and murrum (gravel) mining in Chimur Taluka is no trivial matter; it involves the evasion of revenue amounting to crores of rupees. Moreover, considering the daily operation of the betting racket within the taluka—along with the rampant sale of country liquor in villages and hamlets—it is evident that these illicit activities generate a daily turnover running into lakhs and crores of rupees.
Should the Officials Be Taken into Custody?
Since it is the local officials who are turning a blind eye to illegal prostitution, illicit betting, country liquor sales, and unauthorized sand and murrum mining in Chimur Taluka, the public is of the firm opinion that senior police officers should take these local officials into custody for further interrogation.
Furthermore, unless the officials of Chimur Taluka are detained for questioning, the true identity of this mafia kingpin will never be revealed to the public.
What Action Will Be Taken Against Disobedient Officials?
What steps will the Government of Maharashtra take against those officials who have failed to comply with the directives issued by Manisha Milind Mhaiskar, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department?
Additionally, will Chandrapur Superintendent of Police Sudarshan Mumakka comply with the instructions sent to him by Sadanand Date, the Director General of Police for Maharashtra State, regarding the immediate shutdown of illegal rackets in Chimur Taluka? The answer to this question will soon become apparent.
Officials’ Nexus?
Given that the Chandrapur District Collector, the Chandrapur District Superintendent of Police, the Chimur Sub-Divisional Officer, the Chimur Tehsildar, the Chimur SDPO, the Chimur Police Station In-charge, and the Bhisi Police Station In-charge are all ignoring the illegal activities rampant in Chimur Taluka, one must ask: do they have a nexus with the mafia and its kingpin? If they have ties to the mafia—and to its kingpins—then this is indeed dangerous and shocking for the proper functioning of the administrative services!
