Mukand case: Direct evidence against Rane, claims petitioner

Mumbai, Jan 9 (UNI) There is direct evidence in government records showing involvement of Revenue Minister Narayan Rane and possibly Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh too in the alleged Mukand land sale scam, claimed a counsel in the Bombay High Court today.

Subhash Jadhav, a resident of Mumbai, has filed a public interest litigation against Revenue Minister Narayan Rane in the alleged Mukand Land scam.

Senior counsel Shreehari Ane, appearing for Jadhav, today claimed that there was evidence on records to show Mr Rane's involvement and possibly that of Mr Deshmukh. The counsel sought time to obtain these documents under the Right to Information Act.

Senior counsel Aspee Chinoy, appearing for the land purchaser -- Offbit Developer, opposed the request saying the petitioner should have moved the court after obtaining the required documents, instead he is dragging the matter further and keeping sword on his client's head hanging.

But, a Division Bench comprising Justices J N Patel and Nishita Mhatre granted time to Ane to collect the required documents and adjourned further hearing in the matter till January 31.

Mukand Limited had sold its Kurla property to Offbit Developers in the year 2005. But, the Collector had ordered the company to deposit almost Rs 110 crore in government treasury as unearned income because the land was originally alloted to the Company by the government. The order was confirmed by Konkan Divisional Commissioner in an appeal filed by the Company. But, Mr Rane, in his capacity as Revenue Minister, reversed the order and held that there was no requirement on part of the company to pay the unearned income.

Subhash Jadhav has alleged in the petition that the Revenue Minister has arbitrarily used his authority in the matter just to favour Mukand.

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