Mumbai, Apr 17 (PTI): Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said the Shiv Sena (UBT) demeaned Sena patriarch late Bal Thackeray by using AI technology to recreate his voice.

Nobody will stay with the Shiv Sena (UBT) because Uddhav Thackeray has "betrayed" his father's ideals, Shinde told reporters.

"We freed the Shiv Sena from the clutches of the Congress. They (Uddhav Thackeray and his party) were not only dislodged from power, but also from the minds of people. If they have any shame left, they should not resort to such childish acts and demean Balasaheb. Do not behave in a way that will hurt Balasaheb," he added.

Shinde rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership in 2022 and split the party.

Responding to his barbs, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said those who formed a "fake Shiv Sena" using the Sena founder's name should not comment on the issue.

Artificial Intelligence technology was used to create Bal Thackeray's voice at a party event last month too, and there was nothing new in it, he added.

A 13-minute speech in a voice resembling that of Bal Thackeray was played at a Sena (UBT) gathering in Nashik in north Maharashtra on Wednesday. It had the late party founder's trademark lines too.

State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, in a post on X on Wednesday, called it a childish stunt.

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Bengaluru (PTI): A case of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation was registered against two unknown persons after the wife of an IPS officer lodged a complaint alleging that her children were harassed during a recent IPL match at the M Chinnaswamy stadium here, police said.

The incident occurred in the Diamond Box, a premium seating enclosure, at around 9.40 pm on May 3, they said.

According to the complainant, two people abused her son (22) and inappropriately touched her daughter (26).

She further alleged that the couple shouted at, threatened and disturbed her children. They also abused her daughter and behaved "indecently" with her.

The complainant claimed that the entire incident was recorded by her son on his mobile phone.

Police said that one of the suspects involved in the incident was a senior Income Tax official.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered under BNS sections 351(1) ( criminal intimidation), 352 ( intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace) 75(1) (sexual harassment), 79 (criminalizes acts intended to insult a woman’s modesty), police said, adding further investigation.

The incident took place during a match between RCB and CSK.