Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Jarange Patil Alleges Revenge Scrutiny; Income Tax Calls Process Routine
Manoj Jarange Patil says some people linked to the Maratha reservation movement are facing government checks as punishment.
He believes the checks are connected to their support for poorer Marathas.
Income Tax officials disagree with him.
They say the cases were chosen by a normal computer-based risk-assessment process.
Officials said some transactions had been flagged for possible problems.
They also said a tax check does not prove that anyone did something wrong.
The people being checked will have time to explain their transactions.
Jarange Patil also accused political leaders of pressuring the community, but those allegations were not confirmed in the report.
Manoj Jarange Patil alleged that Income Tax scrutiny targeted supporters, relatives and associates of the Maratha reservation movement.
He described the scrutiny and other inquiries as retaliation for supporting poorer members of the community.
Income Tax officials said cases were selected through routine automated risk assessment, not political instructions.
Officials said flagged cases involved possible irregularities in capital structures and cash flows between related entities.
Jarange Patil also alleged political pressure and warned that the Maratha community would respond in upcoming elections.
- Who
- Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil and Income Tax officials are the main parties involved; the scrutiny concerns people associated with the agitation.
- What
- Jarange Patil alleged that Income Tax scrutiny and other inquiries were retaliatory, while officials described the scrutiny as routine.
- When
- The report is dated September 23, 2026.
- Where
- The report is datelined Mumbai; Jarange Patil was recovering at a private hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
- Why
- Jarange Patil said the scrutiny was punishment for supporting poorer Marathas; officials said automated systems flagged high-value transactions and possible irregularities.
Jarange Patil’s Allegations
Income Tax Officials’ Response
Purpose of the scrutiny
Jarange Patil’s Allegations
Jarange Patil called the scrutiny and related inquiries “revenge” against supporters, relatives and associates of the Maratha agitation.
Income Tax Officials’ Response
Officials said the scrutiny was a routine assessment exercise and was not intended to settle scores or act for the state government.
Basis for targeting cases
Jarange Patil’s Allegations
Jarange Patil questioned why financially well-off Marathas who supported poorer community members were being scrutinized.
Income Tax Officials’ Response
Officials said cases were selected after high-value transactions were flagged by automated risk-assessment systems.
Political involvement
Jarange Patil’s Allegations
Jarange Patil alleged that ministers and legislators aligned with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were pressuring or threatening community members, and claimed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had convened a meeting against the community.
Income Tax Officials’ Response
The Income Tax official said the scrutiny was not being conducted on behalf of the state government; the report does not provide independent confirmation of Jarange Patil’s political allegations.
- Activist
- Manoj Jarange Patil, a leader associated with the Maratha reservation movement
- Government agency
- Income Tax officials said the scrutiny was part of the regular assessment process
- Case selection
- Officials said automated risk-assessment systems flagged certain cases
- Flagged issues
- Possible irregularities in capital structures and cash flows between related entities
- Legal significance
- Officials said scrutiny alone does not establish wrongdoing
- Response opportunity
- Firms can explain transactions and receive time to represent their cases
- Political allegation
- Jarange Patil questioned whether inquiries were being ordered against protesters because of their political alignment