This Article is From Dec 19, 2014

Court Orders SIT Probe into Corruption Allegations Against NCP Leader Chhagan Bhujbal

Court Orders SIT Probe into Corruption Allegations Against NCP Leader Chhagan Bhujbal

NCP leader and Maharashtra's former PWD and Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal

Mumbai: There seems to be more trouble in store for Maharashtra's former PWD and Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal.

The Bombay High Court has ordered the setting up of a Special Inquiry Team to probe corruption and money laundering charges against the politician, his family members and employees of his educational trust. Mr. Bhujbal is yet to react to the development.

The order came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Aam Aadmi Party, which accuses companies owned by Mr Bhujbal's family members and his employees of receiving kickbacks.

The case against Mr Bhujbal lies in Maharashtra Sadan, a guest house for state legislators and other representatives that was recently renovated in Delhi at a huge expense. The BJP in Maharashtra has alleged that Mr Bhujbal misused his official position to award contracts for the building to firms owned by his relatives.  

Earlier this month, the government had announced an open inquiry against Mr Bhujbal and other senior NCP leaders like Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare following allegations of corruption against them.  

The brief of the SIT team that will investigate the allegations is to go into the contracts which led to the transfer of more than Rs 1 crore to private companies owned by the Bhujbals, their employees and the employees' family members. The team will include Director of Enforcement Directorate and Director General of Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

Anjali Damania, who was with the Aam Aadmi Party, told NDTV, "We have always demanded a court appointed inquiry. We hope that the promised inquiry begins soon and it is closely monitored by the Court. It is a shame that the case had been neglected by the authorities for the last year and a half."
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