Opp targets MoS Home over illegal sand mining, dance bar raids; he terms allegations baseless

“I have the evidence including photographs regarding his (Kadam’s) connections with illegal sand trade and a police report about the action on a dance bar whose license is in the name of his mother. Yogesh Kadam should resign from the post or Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should make him resign,” said Parab.

Kadam, who is the Minister of State for Home and Revenue, belongs to Shiv Sena led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

Earlier, ministers Sanjay Shirsat, Sanjay Rathod, Shambhuraj Desai, and MLA Sanjay Gaikwad — all from Shinde Sena — were also caught in various controversies recently.

While participating in a discussion over law and order, Parab raised the issue of Kadam’s alleged connections with illegal activities.
Parab presented the photographs which purportedly shows sand illegally stored at Yogita college, run by the family of Yogesh Kadam and his father, former minister Ramdas Kadam.

“The state government has approved desilting of Jagbudi river. As per the norms, farmers should get the silt and sand for their homes. But all this directly goes into the possession of Kadam. Photographs show sand and silt on the ground of Yogita college. Aqib Mukadam and other 18 people connected with Yogesh Kadam are involved in illegal sand mining and trade. The Minister of State for Revenue himself involved in the illegal trade of the material related to his department,” said Parab.

He pointed out that the permit of Savali bar at Kandivli is in the name of Jyoti Ramdas Kadam who is mother of Yogesh Kadam.

“I have a police panchnama copy which shows that a dance bar was being run at Savali bar… Permission of the bar is in the name of Jyoti Kadam-mother of Yogesh Kadam. Now they may claim that we were not running the bar but had given it to someone to run it. But even in that case, as per the provisions in law, the owner is liable for action,” said Parab.

Later, speaking to mediapersons, Yogesh Kadam denied the allegations terming them “baseless”.

“All the allegations were baseless and aimed to defame me. The Name of my mother has been involved in allegations to defame me. So at appropriate time, I will prove that all the allegations were false and all the ‘proofs’ were fake.” said Kadam.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was not inside the council when the allegations were made, later informed the House that he will go through the papers.

“I haven’t seen the papers. Give me the documents. If there is any truth in the material, I will take further action,” he said.