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Fadnavis Orders Forensic Probe of ‘Friendship File’ Audio

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 4:18 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Fadnavis orders probe

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a forensic probe of the ‘Friendship File’ audio clip.
Maratha activist Manoj Jarange released a 32-minute recording alleging Rs 500 crore was paid to silence him.
Jarange said the money was transferred through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray called the recording a ‘murder and rape of democracy’ and demanded an impartial probe.

Summary

Jarange pauses statements

Jarange announced a 15-30-day pause on public statements to gauge the government’s reaction.
He alleged that party funds were used to defame him and the Maratha quota movement.
He warned his house could become a target of attacks.
He urged Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde to pursue the case’s root at a conference in Ankushnagar, Jalna.
He warned that if Eknath Shinde fails, no caste or community will trust justice.

History

Historical Context

In August 2010 Coalgate revealed coal blocks worth Rs 2.1 lakh crore allocated without bidding, leading the Supreme Court to order a CAG audit and cancel 214 contracts. Now activist Manoj Jarange alleges a Rs 500 crore hush-money transfer through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, prompting Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and MNS chief Raj Thackeray to demand a probe echoing Coalgate’s judicial scrutiny.

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Fadnavis orders probe

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a forensic probe of the ‘Friendship File’ audio clip.
Maratha activist Manoj Jarange released a 32-minute recording alleging Rs 500 crore was paid to silence him.
Jarange said the money was transferred through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray called the recording a ‘murder and rape of democracy’ and demanded an impartial probe.

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