PIL set up for suspension of minister

“Court should direct the Chief Minister to suspend Ahmed or at least restrain him from performing his official functions,” Vashi said.

The division bench of Justices J N Patel and V K Tahilramani,however,felt that it does not have powers to issue such a direction.

“You will have to satisfy us that this falls under our jurisdiction,” Justice Patel said.

The court adjourned the case beyond the summer vacation.

A social activist had challenged Ahmed’s decision to extend the Aarey Colony toll-collection contract with city-based Gharib Nawaz Corporation in 2004.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar had set aside the decision in 2007,and called it “abuse of power.” The court had also set up a committee to ascertain the loss caused to state treasury and directed that it be recovered from Ahmed.

However,this ruling has been now challenged before the Supreme Court,and case is pending there.

State advocate general Ravi Kadam said today the High Court had not found any corruption in the decision-making.

Besides,appointing a minister is Chief Minister’s prerogative,he added.

Ahmed,a Congress leader,is facing a criminal case in Nagpur for allegedly hurling casteist abuse.