A day after The Hindu reported that the State government knew about allegations of corruption and even kidnapping against IAS officer Radheshyam Mopalwar since December 2016, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced his removal from the post of vice chairman and managing director of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), until the inquiry against him is completed.
The Opposition, however, said Mr. Mopalwar should be suspended or sacked.
On Thursday, Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil mentioned The Hindu report in the Assembly, which listed the communications sent by different agencies to the government seeking a report on allegations of corruption and amassing assets disproportionate to his income against Mr. Mopalwar.
“The letters show that a number of investigation agencies are seeking a probe against Mr. Mopalwar. The government is shielding the officer despite having known this fact since December 2016. We demand his immediate ouster and will not let the House function until our demands are met,” he said.
The Assembly had to be adjourned four times in a span of one-and-a-half hours after the Opposition continued making the demand. This resulted in an altercation between Opposition and ruling party members, who had raised the issue of child trafficking in Latur district.
With the deadlock continuing, Mr. Fadnavis announced Mr. Mopalwar’s removal. “We had announced that an inquiry would be conducted against him within one month. We are committed to transparency. The government has decided to remove Mr. Mopalwar from his post until the inquiry is over,” the CM said.
‘Judicial probe needed’
Former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, while speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, demanded a judicial probe into the matter.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar said the Home Ministry under Mr. Fadnavis had asked the police to conduct a Crime Branch inquiry against Mr. Mopalwar in a case of alleged kidnapping and robbing of one Satish Mangle. “The government was aware about the allegations against Mr. Mopalwar. The CM should explain the reasons for awarding him such an important post at the MSRDC,” Mr. Pawar said.
The Hindu had reported on Thursday that despite communications from as high up as the Prime Minister’s Office, and including the Central ministries, the Income Tax Department and the CBI; the government has seemingly ignored requests and reminders to probe the allegations against Mr. Mopalwar.
