Shiv Sena on Monday asked the Maharashtra government to withhold permission to hold of the annual Filmfare Awards sponsored by Manikchand gutkha group in view of the alleged links of its head with the underworld.

"The owner of Manikchand group, Rasiklal Dhariwal, is accused of having connections with the underworld and he is a traitor who has fled the country," leader of opposition in the state assembly Narayan Rane told reporters in Mumbai.

Rane accused the Democratic Front government of shielding the gutkha barons by allowing them to escape from the country and not naming them in the charge sheet in the case.

"There were clear instructions from senior officers to junior police officials not to arrest Dhariwal and J M Joshi of Manikchand and Goa gutkha respectively", he alleged.

Commenting on the Shiv Sena's demand, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said, "We are of the opinion that name of Manikchand should not be associated with Filmfare awards."

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