Govt okays ACB probe against Bhatia

PUNE, JUNE 4: The Maharashtra government has given the green signal for investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau ACB against the co...

PUNE, JUNE 4: The Maharashtra government has given the green signal for investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau ACB against the controversial Municipal Commissioner Arun Bhatia to probe his role in a land deal conducted during his tenure as the divisional commissioner of Pune, Chief Minister Narayan Rane said here today.

The decision comes after the Director General of Police urged an ACB inquiry into Bhatia8217;s role in the Maharwatan Land deal in which the high-profile bureaucrat has allegedly favoured a real estate agent Aditya Maharaj Singh while serving as Pune Municipal Commissioner.

Talking to media persons, Rane said Bhatia will not be spared if in the course of the investigations it comes to light that he had committed an irregularity8217;.

Pune8217;s Deputy Collector M S Kolhe had filed a police complaint on May 17 last saying that the estate agent was handed over a file relating to the land records from the tehsildar8217;s office on the basis of telephonic instructions from a clerk in Bhatia8217;s office. The same file was now missing, Kolhe stated in the complaint.

Bhatia, who has refuted the allegation, said I have not passed a single order on my own in such cases while working as divisional commissioner of Pune. In each case there is a detailed report, a clear proposal and recommendation of the collector before any sanction is given by the collector and I have not deviated from this8217;.

Bhatia said it has not been revealed to the press or to me what exactly is the irregularity or illegality in the case8217;. 8220;I have written to the Governor requesting that the relevant records pertaining to the issues being inquired into by the administration should be placed in the custody of an independent agency to prevent tampering with records or their disappearance8221;.

Bongirwar corrupt: Bhatia files FIR

Pune Municipal Commissioner Arun Bhatia is angling for a fresh controversy by taking up cudgels against new State Chief Secretary Arun Bongirwar. A five-page document filed by Bhatia with the Deccan Gymkhana police here against alleged corruption of Bongirwar, was circulated to the press today by the office of the Municipal Commissioner. The document, claiming to be a FIR, charges that Bongirwar had illegally approved contracts worth Rs 2 cr for road construction while serving as the municipal commissioner of Pune.