AAP seeks court-monitored investigation against Eknath Khadse

Khadse resigned from the Maharashtra Cabinet after a host of allegations against him, including irregularities in a land deal

The Aam Aadmi Party has demanded a court-monitored investigation into the allegations against former Maharashtra minister Eknath Khadse, who stepped down after a host of allegations including irregularities in a land deal.

"We are not happy with Khadse's resignation. It appears that BJP wants to protect him. That is why when he addressed the press conference, he was flanked by two senior BJP leaders," AAP leader Ashish Khetan said here.

"Why are they not registering FIRs in three cases against him. In all three cases there should be FIRs and there should be court-monitored investigation which is not happening," he said.

"Everybody has a feeling that they are trying to protect him. They should put him behind bars and they should register cases and investigate thoroughly," he said.

Responding to a question, Khetan said, "In Maharashtra, if the second most powerful minister after CM, is so corrupt you can imagine what is happening in the government."

The senior BJP leader resigned on Saturday in wake of a series of allegations including irregularities in a land deal in Pune, getting calls allegedly from fugitive Dawood Ibrahim's residence in Karachi on his phone besides the alleged bribe sought by his personal aide.

Following this, CM Devendra Fadnavis announced an inquiry by a retired high court judge into the allegations against Khadse, as sought by the senior leader himself.