Senior NCP leader and Maharashtra Public Works Department Minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Thursday challenged the maintainability of a public interest litigation (PIL) petition alleging kickbacks to him to the tune of Rs. 82 crore. The PIL filed by the Aam Aadmi Party last year accused Mr. Bhujbal of favouring a firm in return of financial favours to him and his family members, including son Pankaj and nephew Sameer.
Mr. Bhujbal told the Bombay High Court that the petition was filed for getting publicity, and was politically motivated. “We wish to challenge the maintainability of this petition,” advocate Prasad Dhakephalkar, appearing for Mr. Bhujbal, told a Division Bench led by Chief Justice Mohit Shah.
The court has given him four weeks to file an affidavit placing the objections on record. The matter will be heard on August 28.
The PIL claimed that various authorities including the Central Vigilance Commission, the Enforcement Directorate, the Maharashtra Governor and the Chief Minister and the Director-General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau did not take any action against the Minister despite various complaints.
The petition alleged: “Mr. Bhujbal has misused his position for illegally amassing huge wealth for him and his family members in clear violation of the oath he took as the MLA and Minister.”
