‘Ministers Tatkare,Bhujbal involved in money laundering’

Somaiya alleged the modus operandi of the ministers were similar and they “used a web of companies for money laundering,formed bogus and benami companies using fake documents and fake addresses.”

Addressing a press meet at the BJP office here,Somaiya said he has approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for a probe against the Nationalist Congress Party leaders,and would file a PIL in Bombay High Court against the ministers.

He alleged that while the companies were spread out in Mumbai and Kolkata,Rs 500-crore Life Scape project in Pune had Tatkare’s involvement. “The minister’s employee,gardener Kiran Sarange and another employee working for Tatkare’s company,Namrata Meganje,are shown as partners,’’ alleged Somaiya.

He further alleged that the joint partnership with Innovative Constructions shows Tatkare,Ketan Goraniya and Tatkare’s employees as partners. The project near Hinjewadi IT Park near Chakan involves six 20-storey buildings,he said. Claiming he has proof to back his allegations,Somaiya said the minister has a stake in construction company and has projected Ketan Goraniya as its face.

Somaiya claimed he had proof of the minister’s involvement in 100 bogus companies. He further stated that both the ministers had used fake addresses and people at these addresses had no connection with it. “The ministers have jointly used these bogus companies to park and transfer crores of rupees as bribe,” alleged Somaiya.

On Thursday,he handed over an appeal to the Minister of Corporate Affairs M Veerappa Moily to investigate the companies under Companies Act for misuse and violation of the Act,besides moneylaundering. “We have demanded a special inspection of all bogus companies floated by the ministers,’’ said Somaiya.