Mayoral Election Scandal: Fraud Arrest Shakes Bhiwandi Politics

Former mayor Vilas Raghunath Patil of the Konark Vikas Party was arrested for alleged involvement in a financial fraud ahead of Bhiwandi's mayoral election. Patil, accused of deceiving people with false housing promises, was remanded in police custody. The upcoming election follows a fragmented civic body election result.

In a dramatic turn ahead of the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation's mayoral election, police arrested Vilas Raghunath Patil, former mayor and leader of the Konark Vikas Party, for alleged fraud.

Patil is accused of cheating people under the guise of providing housing and was taken into custody by Thane's Economic Offences Wing. He appeared in court and received a four-day police remand.

The arrest arises as the civic body faces an unresolved election result, with Congress as the leading party and BJP, Shiv Sena, and others trailing. Patil's case may influence the upcoming mayoral contest scheduled for February 20.

(With inputs from agencies.)