HC not happy with probe into allegations against NCP minister

Bombay High Court today said that Economic Offences Wing of Mumbai police was not investigating the allegations of money-laundering and land grabbing against Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Sunil Tatkare in the right manner.
"The EOW has not investigated only. They seem to be relying only on the material provided by the petitioner Kirit Somaiya. They have not done anything independently," said the division bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M S Sonak, after reading a report filed by the investigating agency.
Somaiya, a BJP leader and former MP, has filed a Public Interest Litigation seeking probe by a special investigation team into alleged money laundering and land grabbing by various companies floated by Tatkare and his relatives.

The HC had earlier directed the EOW, state Anti Corruption Bureau and the Enforcement Directorate to conduct inquiry into the allegations and submit reports.
Advocate General Darius Khambata today submitted reports of ACB, EOW and the Collector of Raigad district.
"The EOW's focus appears to be on if there is any offence under the Indian Penal Code. But so far they seem to have found no evidence to suggest so," Khambata said.

The court said it would peruse all the reports, and posted the matter for further hearing on October 1.
Somaiya has listed 51 companies formed by Tatkare which have his family members and friends as directors, and alleged that they purchased benami lands in Maharashtra, and indulged in money-laundering, causing loss to the public exchequer.

Tatkare, who holds irrigation portfolio in Maharashtra cabinet, has termed the petition as false, malicious and politically motivated in his reply affidavit.