By: Express News ServiceUpdated: October 10, 2025 10:00 PM IST 3 min readShiv Sena (UBT) has alleged that Minister Yogesh Kadam overruled the Pune Police to grant a gun licence to the brother of a Kothrud firing case accused. (File)The controversy over the arms licence issued to Sachin Ghaiwal, brother of Nilesh Ghaiwal, an accused in the Kothrud firing case, intensified on Friday after Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders accused Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam of approving the licence despite objections by the police. Meanwhile, Kadam’s father, senior Sena leader Ramdas Kadam, claimed that the decision by his son was on the advice of a “person holding a high office in the legislature.”The remarks by Ramdas Kadam triggered a political slugfest, with Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleging that the ‘person’ is a senior BJP leader who holds the post in Legislative Council.“Ramdas Kadam has pointed fingers at the BJP leader. Under his direction, Yogesh Kadam granted a gun licence to the brother of an accused in a firing case, even after the Pune Police Commissioner rejected the application,” Raut said on Friday, demanding that the chief minister needs to clarify on the matter.Adding to the row, Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab had on Thursday claimed that Yogesh Kadam’s decision to overrule the Pune Police Commissioner’s refusal to grant the licence showed that the state government was “shielding its own”. “If such decisions are being taken, then it seems CM Devendra Fadnavis is not leading a cabinet, but a gang of goons,” Parab said, questioning why the chief minister was ‘protecting’ the minister.Ramdas Kadam, however, sought to defend his son, saying the decision was based on inputs from “a person who holds a high position in the Legislative Council and gives orders to ministers too.” He added that Yogesh Kadam had informed the chief minister about the individual concerned before taking the final decision.Following the uproar, Yogesh Kadam met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to brief him on the issue. DCM Ajit Pawar, meanwhile, clarified that the Pune Police Commissioner had not actually granted the licence, despite ministerial approval, and assured that there would be “no interference” in the case. “I have asked the police to take strict action in all such matters,” Pawar said.Yogesh Kadam maintained that when the application was processed, no criminal cases were pending against Sachin Ghaiwal, and the decision was taken based on the police report available at that time. The final issuance of the licence remained pending with the Pune Police Commissioner.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd