Maharashtra Minister Shirsat Clarifies Viral Video: ‘Bag Had Clothes, Not Cash

Quick Summary

• A video of Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat sitting with a partially opened bag containing what appears to be bundles of money went viral on July 11, 2025.
• The Shiv Sena Minister denied the claim,stating that the bag contained only clothes and not cash.
• Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut shared the video on X and criticized Chief Minister Devendra fadnavis’s response to controversies involving his Cabinet.
• Mr. Shirsat told reporters that the scene depicted in the video was inside his home and insisted there was no money in the bag, clarifying it held clothes after returning from travel.
• The controversy emerged shortly after reports surfaced about an Income Tax Department inquiry into mr. Shirsat regarding a meaningful increase in his assets from ₹3.3 crore in 2019 to ₹35 crore by 2024.
• The IT Department has sought an description for this increase; Mr. Shirsat has requested more time to respond to their notice.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The controversy surrounding Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat raises questions about political accountability and public perception of governance ethics amid financial allegations against elected officials. While Mr. Shirsat dismisses claims linked to the viral video as “fabricated,” focusing rather on clothing within a travel bag, its timing-a day after Income Tax inquiries-has amplified scrutiny over transparency in political declarations of wealth growth.

These events underscore broader concerns about how public servants address such allegations amidst calls for integrity within governmental institutions from opposition leaders like MP sanjay Raut’s critique of CM fadnavis’s handling of reputational risks facing his ministry.

Maintaining neutrality is key as investigations progress; however,visible efforts toward accountability could reassure citizens while keeping democratic trust intact amid partisan rivals engaging debates over ethical standards across political blocs.

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