Government directed to make statement within ten days

Mumbai, Mar 16 (UNI) Legislative Council Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh today directed the Maharashtra government to make a statement, within ten days, on the alleged telephonic conversation between criminal D K Rao and underworld don Chhota Rajan in which Minister of State for Home Siddhram Mhetre's name had figured, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, who also holds the Home portfolio, assured the House that a statement on the issue would soon be made.

Nothing that the government had submitted the transcripts of the between D K Rao and Chhota Rajan to prove the connection between the two gangsters, he said that a thorough inquiry need to be conducted to find out about the name of Mr Mhetre and others having figured in the conversation as anybody could use any name.

The House was adjourned for ten minutes by the Chairman amdist the din during the question hour on the issue.

The issue of two ministers, Mr Mhetre and Animal Husbandary Minister Anees Ahmed, who has been charged with using castiest words against the personal assistant of Congress MLA from Nagpur, was raised up by Opposition members including Leader of the Oppposition Pandurang Phundkar and Nitin Gadkari (BJP) and Pramod Navalkar and Madhukar Sarpotdar (Sena).

Mr Navalkar questioned how the members would get replies to their queries from the two 'tainted' ministers.

Mr Patil said the matter relating to Mr Ahmed is subjudice and the High Court has directed that the miniser should not be arrested. The hearing of the case has been posted for March 27 and the government would make a statement on this issue as soon as possible.

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