Bhartiya Janata Party MLA Nitesh Rane on Monday alleged Yuva Sena (Shiv Sena''s youth wing) leader Varun Sardesai's link with Sachin Vaze in extortion from bookies during the recent Indian Premier League (IPL).
Addressing a press conference here,Rane, who is an MLA from Kudal in Maharashtra's Konkan region, demanded that the NIA seek call detail records of Vaze and Sardesai.
"There're bookies in Mumbai who starts operating before start of IPL. We've info that these bookies were contacted by Vaze. They were told if they didn't give a certain amount of money, Vaze would ensure that they get busted, probed & arrested," said Nitesh Rane.
"Varun Sardesai has become so powerful that you will see him in the chief minister's office as well as making calls to officials," he claimed.
"Why are the Shiv Sena and the chief minister protecting Vaze? Is it because of links of Sardesai with Vaze? Who is Sardesai related to in the Shiv Sena?" Rane asked.
Sardesai, the Yuva Sena secretary, who has got Y+ security from Maharashtra government is the cousin of state minister Aaditya Thackeray. Their mothers are sisters.
Rane alleged that during the recent IPL, Waze called up some bookies and demanded Rs 1.5 crore, or else they would be busted, probed & arrested.
"Soon, Waze got a call from Sardesai, who asked him if he had sought money from bookies and when Waze admitted to seeking the money, Sardesai asked how much share will he get," the BJP leader alleged.
Sardesai did not respond to a text message sent for seeking his comments over the issue.