Santosh Pandit
Santosh Pandit | |
|---|---|
| संतोष गजानन पंडित | |
 Santosh Pandit | |
| Born | Maharashtra, India |
| Years active | 2022–present |
| Known for | Videos about civic issues in Pune |
Santosh Pandit is an Indian social media personality and civic activist based in Pune, Maharashtra. He is known for producing videos about civic issues in Pune, particularly potholes, damaged roads, traffic and public infrastructure.[1]
Early life and career
[edit]Pandit is a resident of Pune. In 2023, Hindustan Times reported that he was 45 years old and lived in Narayan Peth.[1]
According to the same report, Pandit had worked in the social sector for several years before beginning to make short videos about civic problems. He said that he began regularly making videos about potholes, damaged roads and other civic issues in March 2023.[1]
Pandit began his YouTube channel in June 2022. His early content included commentary on social and political issues, before his videos increasingly focused on civic infrastructure and problems affecting residents of Pune.[2]
Civic activism
[edit]Pandit's videos have primarily focused on potholes, damaged roads, traffic-related problems and other civic infrastructure issues in Pune. In 2023, Hindustan Times reported that his videos had attracted a substantial social-media following and that some of his videos were followed by repairs to potholes by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).[1]
The newspaper reported that more than 80 potholes had been repaired following attention drawn to them through his videos, while also noting that this connection was based on Pandit's activities and the subsequent civic response.[1]
Pandit has also posted videos questioning the use of VIP convoys and alleged civic mismanagement. His videos have sometimes received millions of views on social-media platforms.[3]
2026 legal cases
[edit]April case
[edit]In April 2026, Pune Police registered a case against Pandit following a complaint by a woman journalist who was covering a protest on Tilak Road. Police alleged that Pandit had made obscene comments, filmed the journalist without her consent and threatened protesters. The case was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to sexual harassment, stalking, intentional insult and criminal intimidation, as well as provisions concerning obscene acts.[4]
The registration of a police case represented allegations and was followed by a police investigation.[4]
September arrest
[edit]In September 2026, Pandit was arrested by Pune Police following complaints concerning videos containing allegedly obscene or objectionable remarks about Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, a woman corporator and other public figures.[3]
According to police and reports of the FIR, complaints were filed at Deccan and Kothrud police stations. The Kothrud case included allegations concerning material uploaded to Pandit's social-media accounts.[3]
Pandit was arrested from his residence in Pune in the early hours of 3 September 2026.[5]
On 8 September, a Pune court remanded Pandit to 14 days' judicial custody after his police custody ended.[6]
Bail
[edit]On 16 September 2026, an additional sessions court in Pune granted Pandit bail in the case involving allegations of obscene and sexually suggestive remarks concerning Chandrakant Patil and a woman Pune Municipal Corporation corporator. The court noted that the offences carried a maximum punishment of three years and that the remaining investigation could proceed without keeping Pandit in custody.[7]
Following his release, Pandit returned to posting videos concerning civic issues in Pune, including the condition of roads and potholes.[8]
Political activity and commentary
[edit]Pandit's online content has included criticism of government officials, political figures and civic authorities. His videos have addressed issues involving Pune's roads and infrastructure as well as VIP convoys and public administration.[3]
Media reports have described him as a civic activist and social-media influencer. His political commentary has not been associated with a formally established political party in the sources used for this article.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 Bengrut, Dheeraj (28 June 2023). "Meet Pune's civic 'influencer' who got the PMC to repair over 80 potholes with his videos". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "Midnight Arrest: How Pune's Viral Civic Activist Santosh Pandit Became a Target". The Wire. September 2026. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Police arrest influencer Santosh Pandit over remarks against minister Chandrakant Patil". The Indian Express. 3 September 2026. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- 1 2 "Social media content creator Santosh Pandit booked for sexual harassment of woman journalist". The Indian Express. 1 April 2026. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- 1 2 Inamdar, Nadeem (4 September 2026). "Activist-influencer arrested in Pune over 'obscene' remarks on Maharashtra minister". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "Activist-influencer Santosh Pandit sent in 14-day judicial custody". ThePrint. PTI. 8 September 2026. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "Pune YouTuber gets bail in obscene remarks against minister, woman corporator case". The Times of India. 17 September 2026. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
- ↑ "तुरुंगातून सुटल्यानंतर संतोष पंडित यांचा पहिला व्हिडीओ, रस्त्यात खड्ड्याला घातला हार". eSakal (in Marathi). 22 September 2026. Retrieved 27 September 2026.