NCP leader kidnapped, assaulted over financial dispute in Nanded district; seven held

An NCP leader was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted in Maharashtra’s Nanded district over a ₹2-crore financial dispute, following which police arrested seven people, officials said.

Victim Jeevan Ghogare, former leader of opposition in Nanded Municipal Corporation, accused MLA Prataprao Chikhalikar, representing Loha Assembly seat in the district, of orchestrating the attack.

Mr. Chikhalikar, who is also a member of the NCP led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, rubbished the allegation, calling it a political conspiracy.

Police said on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, that the complainant was targeted while he was traveling in his Innova car in Dnyaneshwar Nagar area on Monday afternoon.

A group of Scorpio people were allegedly waylaid, stones were thrown at their vehicle, and they were forcibly dragged into their SUV.

After hearing about the incident, the police started an investigation. However, Mr Ghogare contacted the police, claiming that he had not been kidnapped but had gone voluntarily for work. Detecting the incident, the police continued their search efforts.

Mr Ghogare was later found abandoned and injured. He told police that his kidnappers forced him at gunpoint to falsely claim he was safe.

Seven people have been arrested in connection with Ghogare’s kidnapping and assault, an official said. These people were identified as Shubham Sunewad, Rahul Dasarwad, Kaustubh Ranveer, Vivek Suryawanshi, Madhav Waghmare, Mohammad Afroz and Devanand Bhole.

Mr. Ghogare also alleged that MLA Chikhalikar and a former legislator were behind the attack, which he said was due to long-standing financial dealings and political rivalry. He claimed that he and his family received death threats from these leaders.

Mr Chikhalikar denied the allegations, saying he had no connection with this incident.

“This is a political conspiracy. I was busy with election duties and counting for the last three days and am currently attending the Malegaon fair. I came to know about this only through the media. I am confident that the police investigation will bring the truth to light,” he said.