Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Sanjay Raut Claims Jail Poisoning May Have Caused Cancer
Sanjay Raut is a politician who was kept in jail in 2022.
He later developed stomach cancer and received chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Raut now suspects that his illness may have started while he was in jail.
He said harmful substances might have been put in his food or water.
Raut also said Rahul Gandhi suggested a special test to look for poison.
Raut plans to undergo that toxicology test soon.
There is no confirmed evidence in the reports that he was poisoned.
Maharashtra minister Gulabrao Patil said he did not know whether poisoning had occurred.
Raut also criticized political treatment of opponents and loud DJ music near hospitals and schools.
Sanjay Raut claimed his stomach cancer may have begun while he was imprisoned and that jail food or water could have been contaminated.
Raut said Rahul Gandhi advised him to undergo a medical toxicology test to investigate possible poisoning.
Raut was held in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail for 101 days, from August 1 to November 9, 2022, in a Patra Chawl redevelopment case.
Raut was diagnosed with stomach cancer in November 2025 and has described undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Maharashtra minister Gulabrao Patil said he did not know whether Raut had been poisoned and would need to cross-check the claim.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Maharashtra minister Gulabrao Patil.
- What
- Raut claimed his cancer may be linked to possible poisoning in jail and said he plans to undergo a medical toxicology test.
- When
- Raut was imprisoned from August 1 to November 9, 2022, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in November 2025, and said he would undergo testing soon.
- Where
- The alleged poisoning would have occurred at Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail; Raut made the claims while speaking to reporters.
- Why
- Raut said the possibility of contaminated prison food or water should be investigated after his health deteriorated.
Raut’s Allegation
Skeptical Response
Possible poisoning in prison
Raut’s Allegation
Raut said contaminated food or drinking water could not be ruled out and that his cancer and health deterioration should be investigated.
Skeptical Response
Gulabrao Patil said he did not know whether Raut had been poisoned and said he would need to cross-check the claim.
Political treatment of opponents
Raut’s Allegation
Raut accused the government of treating political opponents as enemies and misusing police forces and central investigative agencies instead of resolving issues through discussion.
Skeptical Response
The reports provide no direct government response to Raut’s allegations.
Ganeshotsav noise
Raut’s Allegation
Raut said loud DJ music disrupts patients and students and called noise pollution a serious issue requiring action.
Skeptical Response
Raut also acknowledged that DJ-system rentals are a major business supporting the employment of thousands of people.
- Prison term
- Raut spent 101 days in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail, from August 1 to November 9, 2022.
- Arrest case
- He was arrested in a Prevention of Money Laundering Act case connected to the Patra Chawl redevelopment project.
- Cancer diagnosis
- Raut said he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in November 2025.
- Treatment
- He has spoken about receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatment at home and in hospital.
- Proposed examination
- Raut said he would soon undergo a medical toxicology test for possible poisoning.
- Reported advice
- Raut said Rahul Gandhi advised him to investigate whether his health deterioration began during imprisonment.
- Additional issue
- Raut criticized loud DJ music near hospitals and schools during Ganeshotsav while noting that DJ rentals provide employment.
