AB forms stolen from BJP office, FIR against Shilpa Keluskar

The FIR has been registered under Section 303(2) (theft) based on the statement given by BJP secretary Dinesh Jagtap.

The Sion police have registered a case against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shilpa Dattaram Keluskar following allegations by party secretary Dinesh Jagtap that she allegedly stole an AB form from the BJP office. A senior police officer confirmed that while the FIR was initially registered at the Sion police station, it has since been transferred to Bhoiwada police station for further investigation, as the BJP office falls under its jurisdiction.

Keluskar was reportedly issued an AB form on December 29 to contest the civic elections from Ward No. 173, scheduled to be held on January 15. However, following a seat-sharing agreement between the BJP and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, it was decided that Shiv Sena candidate Pooja Kamble would contest from the ward. Subsequently, the BJP office allegedly instructed Keluskar to return the AB form.

According to the FIR, Keluskar returned the AB form on December 29 by 5 pm, after which it was kept in a drawer at the BJP office in Dadar (East). However, on December 31 around 2 pm, Pooja Kamble’s husband informed BJP office-bearers that Keluskar had submitted the same AB form at the election office to contest the BMC election. The form was allegedly signed by the Mumbai BJP president.

Following this information, BJP office-bearers checked the drawer and found that the AB form was missing. Senior party leaders were informed, after which Jagtap approached the Sion police alleging that Keluskar had stolen the form. The FIR was registered and later transferred to Bhoiwada police station for investigation, an official said.

Police officials said that since the offence pertains to theft, arrest is not mandatory. Keluskar is expected to be served a notice for inquiry soon.

When contacted by The Indian Express, Keluskar’s husband answered the call and said he was not aware of the FIR and that no police notice had yet been served on her.