A brief scare unfolded outside Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s bungalow, ‘Maitri,’ in Mumbai’s Bhandup area on Friday morning, after two men on a motorcycle were spotted loitering near the premises. Initially suspected to be conducting a reconnaissance, the men were later found to be employees of a telecom company testing the mobile network in the area, police confirmed late Friday night.
The incident occurred around 9:30 AM, when some individuals present outside the bungalow noticed the men’s behavior and deemed it suspicious. They immediately alerted Sunil Raut, Sanjay Raut’s younger brother and MLA. Concerned about the potential threat, Sunil Raut informed local authorities, prompting swift action from the Kanjurmarg police.
Police teams arrived at the spot and began an investigation, including examining CCTV footage. The footage revealed that the two men lingered near the bungalow for some time before leaving. The police traced the suspects and identified them as employees of telecom service providers ‘Cellplan’ and ‘Insta ICT,’ conducting a “test drive” for Jio Mobile’s network coverage in the area.
In a statement released late at night, police confirmed the men’s credentials after contacting the respective companies. The firms verified that the individuals were indeed their employees and had been tasked with testing network strength in the locality.
The incident caused temporary concern, as Sanjay Raut, a prominent figure of the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction and a known critic of the ruling dispensation, has previously faced threats. Given the political climate, any unusual activity near his residence raises alarms.
While the matter was resolved without any security breach, the incident underscores the heightened vigilance surrounding public figures in politically charged environments. Authorities assured that the situation was thoroughly investigated, and no foul play was involved.
The timely response of local residents and police highlights the importance of community awareness and rapid action in ensuring public safety. The Shiv Sena leader and his family expressed relief after learning the nature of the incident and commended the police for their swift resolution of the matter.
As a precautionary measure, police have advised telecom companies to notify local authorities in advance about similar test drives in sensitive areas to avoid unnecessary alarm in the future.
