Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Shiv Sena(UBT) Says Maharashtra Slips Second for Women’s Crimes
Shiv Sena (UBT) says Maharashtra is becoming less safe for women and children.
It pointed to several reported crimes in different parts of the state.
One case involved a nine-year-old girl in Pune who was allegedly assaulted and killed.
Police arrested a suspect after CCTV footage connected him to her disappearance.
The party also mentioned alleged attacks involving girls in Hingoli, Nalasopara and Bhayandar.
It said another child was allegedly assaulted in Wakad.
Police have made arrests and promised a quick charge sheet and trial in one case.
The party says stronger action is needed to stop crimes before they happen.
Shiv Sena (UBT) alleged that Maharashtra has fallen to second place nationally for crimes against women.
The party cited the killing of a nine-year-old girl in Pune’s Pimpalwandi village after an alleged sexual assault.
It said the suspect joined police and villagers searching for the girl before CCTV evidence led to his arrest and confession.
The editorial cited other alleged assaults in Hingoli, Nalasopara, Bhayandar and Wakad, involving minors and a specially-abled girl.
The party questioned whether arrests, fast-track trials and punishments are creating enough deterrence, and blamed the state administration.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Maharashtra’s state administration and police, and suspects and victims identified in several reported crimes.
- What
- The party criticized Maharashtra’s law-and-order record and alleged that the state now ranks second nationally for crimes against women.
- When
- The editorial was published on Friday; the article also refers to incidents reported recently and a Hingoli assault on August 13.
- Where
- Maharashtra, including Pune’s Pimpalwandi and Wakad, Hingoli, Nalasopara and Bhayandar.
- Why
- The party said repeated sexual assaults and killings show that arrests and court proceedings have not created sufficient deterrence.
Shiv Sena (UBT) criticism
Administration and police response
State safety record
Shiv Sena (UBT) criticism
The party said Maharashtra has deteriorated from being considered safe for women and now ranks second nationally for crimes against women.
Administration and police response
The article does not include a direct response from the state government; it reports that the Chief Minister, who holds the Home portfolio, acknowledged Maharashtra’s eighth-place ranking in total crime statistics.
Deterrence
Shiv Sena (UBT) criticism
The party argued that arrests and punishments after crimes have not stopped repeated atrocities and alleged that criminal elements feel protected politically.
Administration and police response
Police responses described in the article include arrests, a promised 15-day charge sheet and a fast-track trial, but no separate government position on deterrence was provided.
- Publication
- The criticism appeared in an editorial in Saamana, the party mouthpiece.
- Claimed ranking
- The editorial said Maharashtra ranks second in India for overall crimes against women.
- Pimpalwandi case
- A nine-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed in a sugarcane field in Pune district.
- Police action
- The suspect was linked to the girl through CCTV footage, allegedly confessed and led police to her body.
- Promised proceedings
- Pune district police chiefs promised a charge sheet within 15 days and a fast-track trial.
- Other reported cases
- The editorial cited alleged assaults in Hingoli, Nalasopara, Bhayandar and Wakad.
- Additional crime figure
- The party said more than 23,000 cases involving violence and murder of young boys and girls had been registered in recent years.