Pune: Who Is Shantanu Samuel Kukde? Ajit Pawar Group Leader Accused Of Religious Conversions And Held For Alleged Rape

The arrest of Nationalist Congress Party-Ajit Pawar Faction (NCP) leader Shantanu Samuel Kukde has created a huge row in Pune.

Meanwhile, former Kasba MLA and leader of Shinde Sena, Ravindra Dhangekar, has alleged that Kukde has converted the number of males and females to another religion. He also claimed that, in the name of an NGO, a lot of illegal transactions have been found in Kukde's NGO's bank account.

Dhangekar also made another allegation that Kukde had set up a pub inside the NGO, and a number of political leaders came to the place for enjoyment.

While speaking with The Free Press Journal, Dhangekar also alleged that the Pune Police is trying to hide the matter.

A police officer stated that Kukde runs an NGO for needy people. He approached the woman and the girl under the pretext of providing help.

"Kukde brought both of them to the office of his NGO and arranged their accommodation. He established illicit physical relations with them," said Sandip Singh Gill, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) of Pune Police.

He added that, following complaints from both victims, the accused was arrested under various sections of the IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Who Is Shantanu Kukde?

Kukde runs an NGO for needy people in Pune. He is also accused of running a dance bar-cum-pub in Pune, as alleged by Dhangekar, where many politicians visited. His LinkedIn account states that he is a "Freelance Religious Advisor." He is the head and founder of an NGO named Red House Foundation.

Kukde is the Maharashtra vice president of the minority cell of Ajit Pawar's party. His NGO used to distribute relief materials to needy people in various areas of Pune.

Last year, through his NGO, he filed a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) in the Bombay High Court, through his lawyer Chandrakant Bidkar, regarding the alleged cheating of investors by the DSK Group.