Ajit Pawar’s conversation with IPS officer sparks backlash

A video of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar allegedly pressuring IPS officer Anjana Krishna to stop action against illegal excavation has gone viral.

Transcript

00:00Who is this IPS officer?

00:08The internet is applauding for standing her ground while performing her duty.

00:11In this video, which has now gone viral,

00:16Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar spoke to Anjana Krishna,

00:19Deputy Superintendent of Police, Karmala.

00:21Pawar allegedly asked her to stop action against illegal excavation of Murrum,

00:25a widely used sub-base and filling material for road construction.

00:28I would like to tell you that she was arrested,

00:31and you would like to tell me that Pawar's phone came.

00:35DSP Anjana had reached the Kurdu village

00:37after she received complaints of alleged illegal sand excavation.

00:40During the operation, an NCP worker dialed Pawar

00:43and handed over the phone to the DSP.

00:45But the officer did not recognize the deputy CM's voice

00:48and insisted on communicating through her designated number.

00:50I would like to see you.

00:52Give your phone number and call me.

00:54I would like to call you from here.

00:56Okay, sir.

00:57My phone number will be understood.

00:59How many times have you been scared?

01:01Once the video of the incident went viral,

01:03internet users criticized Pawar,

01:05accusing him of threatening the officer.

01:07I will be able to call the police officer.

01:11Anjana belongs to the 22nd IPS batch.

01:14She was born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala,

01:16where her father runs a small clothing business

01:18and her mother works as a court typist.

01:20She had been out of the spotlight until this video went viral.

01:22Reacting to the incident,

01:23Deputy CM Pawar wrote,

01:24My intention was not to interfere with law enforcement,

01:27but to ensure that the situation on ground remained calm

01:30and did not escalate further.