Gujarat state minister's kin held in mustard seed scam

Ahmedabad, Jan 4 (UNI) The kin of a Gujarat minister's and 14 others were arrested yesterday in connection with the Gujcomasol scam from Banaskantha district.

CID officers arrested Bhagwan Patel, who is a relative of minister of state for water supplies Harjivan Patel, in connection with the scam of 2002-03 amounting to Rs 350 crore.

The scam was related to fake procurement of mustard seeds by Gujcomasol. In the first phase, after a complaint was filed in Mehsana, Patan, Banaskantha and Sabarkantha districts, five people were held including the Gujcomasol manager Chandu Patel. They had conspired with shopkeepers, farmers and other cooperative body members to buy the agricultural products at higher rates, the sources said.

So far, 17 people have been arrested in connection with the scam.

The minister was called by Chief Minister Narendra Modi yesterday to explain in this regard. It is learnt that he denied any role in the scam saying that Bhagwan Patel happens to be just a distant relative and nothing more.

UNI