Police issue Shiv Sena leader Mukesh Jivtode show-cause notice over proposed two-year externment

Police have issued a show-cause notice to Shiv Sena leader and Chandrapur Lok Sabha organiser Mukesh Jivtode over a proposal to extern him from Chandrapur district for two years. The notice follows his arrest on Diwali day. Police served it while a Lakshmi Puja religious programme was under way at the Shiv Sena office in Warora, which has fuelled discussion in political circles.

The notice, under Section 56 (A) and (B) of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, asks why it should not be recommended that Jivtode be externed from Chandrapur district for two years. Police have said cases of abuse, assault and threats are registered against him. They say his conduct is creating an atmosphere of fear in the area and could endanger public peace and law and order.

Jivtode has been asked to appear at the concerned police office in Warora at 11 am on November 13 to state his case. The notice warns that if he does not appear at the appointed time, action will be taken ex parte. It is only a show-cause notice, and no final externment order has been passed.

Jivtode had raised the issue of alleged irregularities in toll collection worth crores of rupees at Nandori. He has also pursued the demands of those affected by the Nippon Denro project in Bhadravati, jobs for local unemployed youth at WCL, farmers' concerns, workers' rights and the rehabilitation of project-affected people. He has taken up these issues through agitations and sought answers from the administration.

Jivtode contested the 2024 Assembly election from the Warora-Bhadravati seat as an independent against the BJP candidate and secured about 50,000 votes. He comes from an ordinary family without a major political legacy. He later joined the Shiv Sena and was made Chandrapur Lok Sabha organiser.

He has focused on building the party organisation in the Warora-Bhadravati Assembly constituency. Under his leadership the Shiv Sena's organisational strength has grown and it has taken an aggressive stand on local issues. Political opponents are watching these developments, and the present action is being viewed against a political backdrop as well as through the legal process.

Enforcing the law is the responsibility of the police, but every action is expected to be fair and based on evidence. The registered cases, their present status, the background of the incidents and the need for externment must be examined separately by the competent authority.

All eyes are now on what Jivtode tells the police on November 13 and what decision the authority takes after his reply. The proposed two-year externment, the earlier arrest and allegations of political pressure behind it may keep the matter in the news.