In February 2014, when Maharashtra was gearing up for Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the State Legislature >filed a report alleging financial irregularities in some projects taken by the public works department.
The report recommended an inquiry into three major projects undertaken by the PWD — Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi, Highmount Guest House in Mumbai and an RTO building in the Andheri suburb. The same developer was involved in all three projects.
The report came in handy for political parties as NCP fielded the then PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal as its candidate from Nashik. While no official inquiry was initiated till December 2014, the ‘PWD scam’ was debated extensively by political parties. AAP’s Anjali Damani and BJP’s Kirit Somaiyya even knocked the court’s door.
Ms. Damania alleged that kickbacks were paid to Mr. Bhujbal’s institute, Mumbai Education Trust, for the then PWD Minister “to favour certain companies and help them secure contracts.” The cost of constructing a New Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi was budgeted for Rs. 52 crore, but the government ended up spending upto Rs.152 crore.
The same month, Maharashtra Government announced an open inquiry against Mr. Bhujbal and other senior NCP leaders following corruption allegations made against them. In the next few days, the Bombay High Court >ordered formation of a Special Inquiry Team to probe corruption and money laundering charges against Mr. Bhujbal, his family members and employees of his educational trust.
| » | The construction cost of New Maharashtra Sadan escalated to over Rs 100 crores beyond the Budget. |
| » | Allegations surfaced that the then PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal received kickbacks in awarding contracts. |
| » | Enforcement Directorate finds the money allegedly received by Bhujbal and his family was routed through an educational trust run by them. |
| » | ACB and ED launch probe. Bombay High Court too orders SIT probe. |
| » | Chhagan Bhujbal, his son Pankaj and nephew Sameer are charged. |
| » | ED arrests Sameer Bhujbal and subsequently Chhagan Bhujbal. |
On February 20, 2015, the >ACB questioned Sameer Bhujbal , nephew of senior NCP leader and former Maharashtra PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Six days later, Mr. Bhujbal’s son, >Pankaj was also quizzed in connection with the construction of New Maharashtra Sadan.
Meanwhile the enforcement directorate too started probing the money laundering angle. Based on inquiry reports from ACB and SIT, the >Bombay High Court ordered initiation of FIR against the Bhujbals.
Subsequently, Mr. Bhujbal himself appeared before the ACB. The FIR named Mr. Bhujbal and five others -- Gajanan Sawant (former sub-divisional engineer, PWD), Harish Patil (former executive engineer, PWD), Anil Kumar Gaikwad (former superintendent engineer, PWD), Sanjay Solanki (former under secretary, PWD) and M H Shaha (former secretary, PWD).
In June last year, ACB filed another case of cheating and forgery against Mr. Bhujbal in connection with the alleged irregularities in awarding contracts for the construction of Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi, and the Regional Transport Office Complex in Mumbai. Sameer and Pankaj Bhujbal were also named in the case. Searches were conducted in Bhujbals’ properties.
On June 18, the >ED slapped money laundering charges against the Bhujbals . BJP leader Kirit Somaiya purportedly shared information on the various transactions with the ED, including those through alleged Hawala routes – said that the total gains made by the scams under probe by the ACB could be to the tune of Rs, 5000 crore. The ED too, on its part conducted searches.
Apart from attaching properties of Chamtkar Enterprises, one of the Maharashtra Sadan contractors, the ED attached properties of Bhujbals to the tune of Rs. 160 crore.
Sameer Bhujbal became the first high-profile person to face arrest in the case. He was arrested on February 2 and questioned by the ED. Following this ED issued summons to Pankaj Bhujbal too.
Also read: >Embattled Bhujbal cries conspiracy
The same month ACB filed a 20,000 page chargesheet against Chhagan Bhujbal.
On March 14, Chhagan Bhujbal appeared before the Enforcement Directorate. After 10 hours of questioning, he was >arrested the next day. ED sources said, “Investigations so far have revealed that there were at least four levels through which the money passed before being invested in properties, including those that have already been attached.”
Also read: >Multi-layered conduits routed money to Bhujbal family: ED
On March 31, the ED filed it chargesheet. Bail pleas of both Sameer and Chhagan Bhujbal were rejected and both are lodged in Arthur Road prison.
Meanwhile, the Economic Offences Wing of the Navi Mumbai Police has sought a non-bailable warrant against Pankaj Bhujbal in connection with their investigation into the Hex World project.’
Political life of Chhagan Bhujbal
1973 : Elected as Shiv Sena corporator
1985 : Elected as Sena MLA from Mazgaon
1985-86 : First stint as Mumbai mayor
1990-91 : Second stint as Mumbai mayor
1991 : Leaves Sena to join Congress
1992 : Formed the Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad in Mumbai to project himself as an OBC leader
1995 : Lost Assembly election from Mazgaon to Sena candidate
1996-99 : Stint as leader of opposition in the Legislative council
1999 : Joins mentor Sharad Pawar in the NCP after the Maharashtra Congress splits
1999-2003 : First stint as Deputy CM and Home Minister
2000 : Arrested Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray in connection with a 1992-93 riots case
2003-04 : Bhujbal’s name comes up the Telgi stamp duty scam, but he faced no action after CBI inquiry
2004 : Takes charge of the state Public Works Department
2008-10 : Second stint as Deputy CM
2004-14 : Holds PWD portfolio for a decade
2012-15 : Faces allegations of floating bogus companies and money laundering. HC sets up Special Task Force to probe allegations
June 2015 : ED files FIR against Bhujbal
Mar 14, 2016 : Arrested by ED in money laundering case
