Maharashtra minister Bhujbal discharged in money laundering case
In a significant development, Maharashtra minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, his son Pankaj, and nephew Sameer have been discharged in a money laundering case related to the alleged multi-crore Maharashtra Sadan scam. The discharge order was passed by a special court in Mumbai, which observed that there was no generation of proceeds of crime, a crucial element required to prosecute someone under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The court’s decision has come as a major relief to Bhujbal and his family members, who had been facing allegations of money laundering and corruption in connection with the construction of the Maharashtra Sadan building in Delhi. The case had been pending for several years, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigating the allegations and filing charges against Bhujbal and others.
The Maharashtra Sadan scam had come to light in 2015, when allegations surfaced that Bhujbal, who was then the Public Works Department (PWD) minister, had awarded contracts for the construction of the Maharashtra Sadan building to a company called Bioserve Pvt Ltd, which was allegedly linked to his family members. The ED had alleged that Bhujbal and his associates had laundered money to the tune of several crores of rupees, using shell companies and other dubious means.
However, the special court has now ruled that there was no evidence to suggest that Bhujbal and his family members had generated any proceeds of crime, which is a essential ingredient for prosecuting someone under the PMLA. The court observed that the ED’s case was like “a tree without roots,” as it lacked the basic foundation of proceeds of crime.
The discharge order is a significant setback for the ED, which had been investigating the case for several years. The agency had filed a chargesheet against Bhujbal and his family members, alleging that they had laundered money and committed other offenses under the PMLA. However, the court has now ruled that the ED’s case was not sustainable, as it lacked the necessary evidence to prove the generation of proceeds of crime.
The discharge of Bhujbal and his family members is likely to have significant political implications, as it is expected to boost the morale of the NCP and its allies. Bhujbal is a senior leader of the NCP and has been a key figure in the party’s leadership. His discharge is likely to be seen as a vindication of his innocence, and is expected to strengthen his position within the party.
The case had been widely followed in political circles, with many seeing it as a test of the government’s commitment to fighting corruption. The discharge order is likely to be seen as a setback for the government’s anti-corruption efforts, as it suggests that the ED’s case was not strong enough to secure a conviction.
In conclusion, the discharge of Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal and his family members in the money laundering case related to the Maharashtra Sadan scam is a significant development that is likely to have far-reaching implications. The court’s decision has highlighted the importance of generating proceeds of crime in money laundering cases, and has shown that the ED’s case was not sustainable without this essential ingredient.
As the case continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how the ED responds to the discharge order and whether it will appeal against the decision. For now, Bhujbal and his family members can breathe a sigh of relief, as they have been cleared of the allegations of money laundering and corruption.
About the Author
