The Enforcement Directorate on Monday arrested NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal in a money laundering case in connection with the Maharashtra Sadan scam.
The agency was probing the role of the NCP leader in a money laundering case registered by it earlier in 2016. According to sources, Chhagan Bhujbal was joined by his lawyer for the questioning.
Sameer Bhujbal, his nephew, was arrested by ED on February 1 under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
According to an ED official, the arrest of the former PWD minister was effected under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after he allegedly refused to cooperate during questioning. The agency also recorded his statement in the case.
The official said Bhujbal was questioned for 10 hours before he was arrested and he will be produced before a court on Tuesday.
ED sources said large amounts of cash, allegedly laundered with the help of hawala operators, was pumped into shell companies floated by his nephew Sameer and son Pankaj Bhujbal.
ED sources added they have tracked over a dozen Kolkata-based companies which bought shares in companies fully owned and controlled by Bhujbals. Money was later channeled through various companies to start projects like the Hex World in Kharghar. It is also learnt that bribe amount may have been used to float these companies.
Earlier, Enforcement Directorate (ED) had attached assets worth Rs 110 crore belonging to a realty firm in connection with its money laundering probe against NCP leader and former Maharashtra PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal.
The two land properties, with a market value of Rs 110 crore, are located in the posh Bandra and adjoining areas of the western metropolis here and are in the name of Pravesh Constructions - a firm run by the Bhujbals.
The agency has filed two FIRs against the Bhujbals and others under the provisions of PMLA, based on Mumbai Police FIRs, to probe the Delhi-based Maharashtra Sadan construction scam and the Kalina land grabbing case.
It had also brought out orders for attachment of three properties with an estimated worth of over Rs 280 crore in the case under money laundering laws.
ED had twice conducted searches at nine premises, including properties and offices, belonging to the senior Bhujbal, Pankaj, Samir and a few others.
NCP had then described the searches as "political vendetta".
The state Anti-Corruption Bureau has already filed a chargesheet against Chhagan Bhujbal, Pankaj, Sameer and 14 others in the Maharashtra Sadan scam case.
The new Maharashtra Sadan was built at the cost of Rs 100 crore when Congress-NCP coalition was in power in Maharashtra.
Comments
0 comment