NAGPUR: The Maharashtra government on Friday said it was setting up a special investigation team to look into charges made by BJP MLA Nitesh Rane that UBT Shiv Sena's Nashik unit chief Sudhakar Badgujar had partied with fugitive terrorist Dawood Ibrahim's aide and 1993 bomb blast convict Salim Kutta recently at his farmhouse in Nashik.
"The SIT will probe Badgujar's links with Dawood's close aide and others who were at the party.
It will also find out who is protecting people like Badgujar," said deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Badgujar denied any links with Kutta, saying, "I am a public figure and I meet many people. I cannot recall if I met Salim at any party. I am also unaware if the party was held in Nashik or any other city." Badgujar added, "The authenticity of the video clips need to be ascertained. I am ready to face police investigation. The ruling dispensation is trying to malign me and my party."