Assets of 'corrupt' Maharashtra minister grew from Rs 2 cr to Rs 32 cr in 10 years

The Congress has accused Maharashtra housing minister Prakash Mehta of corruption

BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Prakash Mehta's assets grew by 1500 per cent by his own admission. Election affidavits submitted by the BJP leader showed how his assets worth Rs 2.01 crore from 2004 grew to Rs 17.73 crore in 2009 and Rs 32.03 crore in 2014.

The information is readily available in Prakash Mehta's affidavits filed to the election commission to contest consecutive elections from Ghatkopar East constituency. The number of criminal cases against Mehta also rose from 5 in 2004 to 7 in 2009 and ultimately 12 in 2014.

Mehta has been booked for multiple cases including insulting the modesty of a woman, rioting, assaulting a public servant and abetment to crime. Activists in Maharashtra has questioned the lack of an explanation for the sudden rise in the minister's assets. A complaint against Mehta is likely to be filed before the Anti-corruption bureau by a social organisation. An activist has pointed out that his son, Harsh Mehta's properties have been deliberately left out of the 2009 affidavit.

The Congress, on the other hand, has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the case. The party has demanded Prakash Mehta's resignation and has asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order a judicial inquiry into the matter. While an IAS officer was sacked after allegations of corruption emerged, Fadnavis had refused to seek resignation from his minister.

The issue is all set to lead to a ruckus in the Maharashtra assembly that resumes on Tuesday. Previously, no the council had to be adjourned after members refused to turn up in the house.

OneIndia News