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NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal, his son and nephew discharged in PMLA case related to Maharashtra Sadan scam

The ACB had filed a case against Chhagan Bhujbal amid an inquiry into ‘irregularities’ in awarding contracts worth over Rs 100 crore when he was the Maharashtra PWD minister. The ED then filed a separate money laundering case.

chhagan-bhujbalChhagan Bhujbal's lawyers had submitted that since the NCP leader and others were discharged in 2021 in the corresponding case filed in connection with the alleged Maharashtra Sadan scam by the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the ED case cannot continue. (File photo)

A special court in Mumbai Friday discharged Maharashtra Cabinet minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal in the money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for which he was arrested in 2016. Bhujbal had spent over two years in jail in this case till the Bombay High Court granted him bail in 2018.

Along with Bhujbal, his son Pankaj, nephew Sameer and other accused were also cleared of all charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Bhujbal’s lawyers, Sajal Yadav and Sudarshan Khawase, had filed a discharge plea submitting that since the NCP leader and others were discharged in 2021 in the corresponding case filed in connection with the alleged Maharashtra Sadan scam by the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the ED case cannot continue as per a previous Supreme Court order.

The ACB filed a case against Bhujbal and others in 2015 after a Public Interest Litigation filed in the Bombay High Court sought an inquiry into alleged irregularities in awarding contracts worth over Rs 100 crore for three projects in 2006 when Bhujbal was the Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) minister. The contracts in question were given to Chamankar Developers for the construction of Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi, a new Regional Transport Office building in Andheri and a state guest house in Malabar Hill. A separate case alleging money laundering was then filed by the ED.

The agencies claimed that the contracts were given to the firm without following proper rules in return for kickbacks to firms and trusts controlled by the Bhujbal family.

The Bhujbals, however, argued that no evidence was found against them and they were discharged in 2021, so the case by the ED cannot continue. They also said that the ACB discharge order has attained finality as it was not set aside by the high court since 2021.

With this, only one ACB case remains pending against Bhujbal relating to a library in Mumbai University.

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise  Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

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