Pune Crime Branch officials conducted a visit to the office of a political campaign management company on Tuesday. The company, DesignBoxed, works for the Nationalist Congress Party led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Police Verification Follows Suspicious Activity Information
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed that officers received information about alleged suspicious activity at a location within Pune Commissionerate jurisdiction. Immediately, a team comprising one officer and two policemen rushed to the spot to verify the information.
The team visited the DesignBoxed office located in the Vakdewadi-Shivajinagar area. This visit coincided with the final day of campaigning for municipal corporation elections in Pune.
No Objectionable Material Found During Inspection
During their verification process, police officials thoroughly examined the premises and interacted with staff members present. Nothing objectionable was noticed either at the premises or with the people working there, according to Police Commissioner Kumar.
After completing their verification, the police team left the location immediately. The commissioner emphasized that nothing adverse was detected during their visit.
Company Management Responds to Police Visit
DesignBoxed Managing Director Naresh Arora addressed the incident during a press conference. He explained that crime branch personnel visited his company's office in the evening hours.
Arora and other senior staff members were not present at the office during the visit. They were attending a press conference organized by the NCP at that time.
Staff Cooperation During Police Inquiry
The crime branch officials questioned DesignBoxed staff about several matters during their visit:
- The nature of work carried out at the office
- Specific details about work related to the NCP
- Request for certain documents and phone numbers
Company staff responded to questions about their work activities. However, when officials requested documents and phone numbers, staff members explained they couldn't provide these without senior management approval.
Our staff sought their identity, to which the officials responded that they are from the crime branch, Arora stated during his press conference.
Political Context of the Police Visit
The police visit occurred during a significant political period. The Nationalist Congress Party, an alliance partner in the Mahayuti coalition, is contesting against the BJP in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation elections.
DesignBoxed Innovations specializes in creative political digital campaign management. The company has been handling the NCP campaign for the ongoing civic polls.
Ajit Pawar Confirms Full Cooperation
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar confirmed the police visit through a statement on social media platform X. He stated that crime branch personnel visited the Pune office of Naresh Arora and DesignBoxed to seek information.
All the required information was provided during the process, and full cooperation was extended to the officials, Pawar emphasized in his statement.
He further clarified that no objectionable matter or any irregularity was found during the verification process. The NCP stands firmly with Naresh Arora and DesignBoxed in this matter.
Political Party's Official Position
Pawar outlined the NCP's approach to this development with three key points:
- The party respects the rule of law and believes in cooperating with all statutory and legal procedures
- Complete cooperation has been extended to concerned agencies in this case
- The NCP is addressing this issue with restraint, responsibility, and clarity
The deputy chief minister appealed against the spread of confusion, rumors, or what he described as unnecessary narratives over this development. He asserted that any conclusions should be drawn strictly based on facts.
Follow-up Communication Attempts
After the police team left the DesignBoxed office, they provided a contact number to staff members. We have been trying to call on that number, but no one is responding, Arora revealed during his press conference.
The company management emphasized their continued willingness to cooperate with authorities. They maintain that their operations comply with all legal requirements and regulations.
This incident highlights the heightened scrutiny during election periods. It also demonstrates the working relationship between political campaign organizations and law enforcement agencies during such sensitive times.
