Mumbai Police form three-member SIT to probe audio clip played at Jarange-Patil press conference

Mumbai Police have set up a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe an alleged audio clip that was circulated during a press conference held by Maratha leader Manoj Jarange-Patil on October 22, 2026. The team has now been entrusted with a thorough investigation of the clip.

This is stated in an official order issued on October 26 by the office of the Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai. The order says the team is to examine the audio clip, including its forensic aspects, and carry out a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

The team will be headed by Shailesh Balkawade, Additional Commissioner of Police, South Region, Mumbai. Vijaykant Sagar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Region-3, and Bajrang Bansode, Deputy Commissioner of Police with the Mumbai Cyber and Crime Branch, have been appointed members.

According to the order, the press conference was held in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The audio clip was subsequently circulated through the media. It is alleged that the clip refers to various individuals and comments on certain specific groups.

Police have said that forensic examination and other technical investigation are necessary to establish the facts and to ensure that the inquiry is thorough and impartial.

According to Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharati, the team has been told to deploy such officers as are needed to assist the investigation and to examine the case closely. The team is also to report periodically on how the investigation is progressing.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In the letter, he has demanded an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into allegations that Rs 500 crore was given to Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange.

The allegations emerged from an audio clip released by Jarange last week. The clip allegedly claimed that the money was delivered through Shrikant Shinde, Shiv Sena MP and son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.