Khadse MIDC land deal: Zoting panel completes probe

A single-member inquiry committee, examining the allegations of land grab against senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse, today completed its probe and is likely to submit its report to the state government "anytime soon."
The single-member panel of Justice (Retd) Dinkar Zoting was appointed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis last year following allegations that Khadse, during his tenure as the state revenue minister, had purchased a three-acre plot at Bhosari for a song.
It was alleged that he bought the MIDC plot in the name of his kin for Rs 3.75 crore as against the market price of Rs 40 crore.

"The recording of statements and arguments of both Khadse and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) concluded today. Now, the committee will study the matter and submit its report to the government," said a senior official.
Senior counsel M G Bhangde, who appeared on behalf of Khadse, today gave a written reply on the points of argument raised by the MIDC yesterday, said MIDC counsel Chandrashekhar Jaltare.
"Bhangde argued that the provisions of the Indian Evidence Act are applicable to the committee and it will not be able to suggest any criminal proceedings into the case," Jaltare said.

The arguments into the matter have been completed and the commission will submit its report to the government anytime soon, he said.

Besides the MIDC land deal, Khadse, the veteran BJP leader from north Maharashtra, had been facing some other allegations, including that of getting calls allegedly from fugitive Dawood Ibrahim's residence in Karachi on his mobile phone and the alleged bribe sought by his personal aide.
A Pune-based activist and builder, Hemant Gavande, had filed a complaint against Khadse in connection with the MIDC land deal on May 30 last year.
Following the charges, Khadse had resigned as a state minister in June last year.
Thereafter, the Maharashtra government had announced the appointment of retired Bombay High Court judge Dinkar Zoting to probe the allegations.

The state's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) last month had registered an FIR against former Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse, his wife, son-in-law and original owner of the land in connection with alleged irregularities in the purchase of the MIDC plot near Pune.