Sena Minister Sanjay Shirsat Reacts to Viral ‘Cash Bag’ Video: Claims He Was Being Spied On

Maharashtra Minister for Social Justice Sanjay Shirsat has dismissed a viral video allegedly showing him smoking in a hotel room next to a bag claimed to be full of cash, calling it a “well-planned conspiracy” to tarnish his image.

In a video shared by news agency ANI, Shirsat said, “This is a well-thought-out conspiracy. I was sitting comfortably at home with my dog when someone recorded us. That means we were being spied on. We are hospitable people—whoever comes to our house is offered food and tea. Maybe there’s an agent among them. But we have nothing to hide.”

Challenging the authenticity of the clip, Shirsat added, “Have you ever seen anyone openly sitting beside cash like that? It’s suspicious. We will respond to this smear campaign.”

The controversy erupted shortly after Shirsat received an income tax notice over what authorities described as a sudden spike in his assets between the 2019 and 2024 Assembly elections. The notice reportedly stems from the IT department’s automated CASS (Computer-Assisted Scrutiny Selection) system, which flags cases based on pre-defined risk parameters without human input.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut first shared the video online, taking a jab at Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “I feel pity for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis! How many more times will he just sit and watch his reputation being torn to shreds?” Raut wrote on social media.

While the video’s authenticity remains unverified, it has triggered a political firestorm in Maharashtra. Shirsat, a close aide of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has not yet issued a formal public response beyond calling the incident a conspiracy.

According to PTI sources, the tax scrutiny could involve exemption claims, and the case will be finalised under the department’s faceless assessment scheme once Shirsat replies to the notice.