Govt seeks time to reply on allegations against NCP minister

Public Prosecutor S S Shinde also informed the court that Advocate General Darius Khambata would represent the government at the next hearing.

The division bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar deferred the hearing till January 24. The bench was hearing a PIL filed by state BJP leaders Kirit Somaiya and Madhav Bhandari, accusing Tatkare of corruption.

The petitioners want a time-bound probe by a Special Investigation Team, under the High Court's supervision.

The 300-page PIL names 31 respondents, and alleges that all of them colluded in money-laundering, creating benami holdings and forming of a web of shell companies. Tatkare, specifically, abused his official position to form companies in the names of his relatives and employees, the PIL says, adding that even the Minister's gardener has nine companies registered in his name.