Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab demands minister Yogesh Kadam's resignation over ‘Kandivali dance bar run with mother's licence'

Indian Express

6 days ago

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam, alleging that a dance bar in Kandivali was being operated under a licence held by his mother and that firms linked to the minister's family were mining sand illegally in Ratnagiri.
Parab said he would submit documents, pen drives, and evidence to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday and warned he would approach the Bombay High Court if Kadam was not removed from his post.
'Devendra Fadnavis should seek Kadam's resignation. (Deputy Chief Minister) Eknath Shinde won't act because of political constraints. If the state doesn't act, I will go to court,' Parab said.
Kadam belongs to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Parab's allegations stem from a May 30 raid at Savali Bar and Restaurant in Kandivali (West), following which the Mumbai police booked 22 bar dancers, 22 customers, and four staff members for violations under bar regulations.
Citing documents received under the Right to Information Act, Parab said the bar's licence was in the name of Jyoti Kadam, the minister's mother.
'If obscene activities take place in a bar licensed to the minister's family, responsibility lies with the licence holder. Saying it is run by someone else is no defence under the law,' the MLC said at a press conference.
Parab alleged that bar rules were violated, with reports of obscene dance and money being thrown—all of which he claimed was documented in an FIR. Former minister Ramdas Kadam, father of Yogesh Kadam, admitted that the licence is in his wife's name but said the bar has been run by a man named Shetty for 30 years.
'There is an orchestra licence and waitress licence. Nothing illegal is happening,' he said, dismissing Parab's claims as politically motivated.
Parab also accused Kadam of diverting silt from the Jagbudi river in Ratnagiri, stating that sand meant for farmers was instead sent to a private dental college allegedly linked to Kadam's sister. He named Akil Mukadam, who he claimed works at Kadam's residence, as the one overseeing the illegal sand removal.
Kadam, in response, denied all charges, saying he had no involvement in the operation of the bar or in sand removal, and that the allegations were 'baseless and defamatory'. He said the silt removed was not of construction quality.
'If I had any vested interest, no raid would have happened. The police acted under my instructions,' Kadam said on Monday.
Kadam has also announced that he will move a breach of privilege motion against Parab in the Legislative Council and write to the chairperson over Parab's remarks.