Maharashtra FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal Viral Video Controversy: CM Orders High-Level Probe

March 28, 2026 — Maharashtra’s political landscape is currently weathering a significant storm following the viral spread of a controversial video involving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister and NCP leader Narhari Zirwal. While the opposition has launched a scathing attack demanding his immediate dismissal, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has moved to contain the fallout by ordering a high-level investigation into the authenticity of the clip.

The Controversy Unfolds

The row erupted earlier this week when a video allegedly showing Narhari Zirwal with a transgender person in a private setting began circulating on social media. According to reports, the footage was purportedly filmed at a government-allotted residence.

The clips, which vary in length, show the Minister in a bedroom setting alongside an individual identified as Pavan Yadav. One specific segment reportedly shows Zirwal asleep while the other person is seen sitting nearby, while another clip allegedly shows the duo in what the opposition has termed “objectionable circumstances.”

“Doctored and Malicious”: Zirwal Responds

Breaking his silence on Thursday, Narhari Zirwal categorically denied any wrongdoing, labeling the video as “doctored” and “digitally assembled.” Speaking to regional news outlets, the Minister claimed the video was a calculated attempt to tarnish his reputation and was being used for blackmail.

“I have known the person in the video for several years, but the way the footage has been presented is entirely false. It has been edited and morphed to suit a specific narrative,” Zirwal stated.

He further clarified his stance on other details in the video, such as the presence of alcohol bottles, asserting that he does not consume alcohol and that the entire scene was staged by individuals seeking to extort him.

CM Orders Probe Amid Political Pressure

With the budget session ongoing, the controversy has given the opposition a powerful handle to criticize the Mahayuti government. In response to the escalating row, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed the state police and cyber cell to conduct a thorough probe.

The investigation is expected to focus on:

1. Authenticity: Determining if the video is original or has been manipulated using AI or deepfake technology.
2. Source: Identifying who recorded the video and the primary source of its distribution.
3. Extortion Angle: Investigating claims made by Ravi Yadav (Pavan Yadav’s brother) that the footage was part of a larger blackmailing ring targeting high-profile politicians.

Opposition Demands Resignation

The Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction have been vocal in their condemnation. Maharashtra Congress President Harshavardhan Sapkal described the incident as a “moral decline” in the state’s political culture.

“A public representative is held to a standard of ethics. If these videos are indeed from a government residence, it is a gross misuse of public property and an insult to the voters,” Sapkal said, demanding Zirwal’s resignation pending the investigation.

Social activist Anjali Damania also weighed in, questioning the party’s leadership for maintaining silence over the conduct of its senior ministers, especially following a separate bribery scandal involving Zirwal’s office just last month.

A Pattern of Conspiracy?

Supporters of Zirwal, including NCP leader Amol Mitkari, have suggested that the timing of the leak is suspicious. They argue that the video—allegedly eight months old—was released specifically to distract from other high-profile cases currently being handled by Special Investigation Teams (SITs).

As the investigation commences, the political future of Narhari Zirwal remains uncertain. For now, the state government is maintaining a “wait-and-watch” approach, pending the forensic report of the viral clips.