FIR filed against Chhagan Bhujbal in Maharashtra Sadan scam

Mumbai, Jun 8: Maharashtra anti-corruption bureau today registered an FIR against former state PWD minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal and five others in connection with alleged corruption in awarding of some contracts, including the one for construction of New Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi.

Other five accused are Gajanan Sawant (former sub divisional engineer, PWD), Harish Patil (former executive engineer, PWD), Anil Kumar Gaikwad (former superintendent engineer, PWD), Sanjay Solanki (former under secretary, PWD) and M H Shaha (former secretary, PWD).

The first information report has been filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC sections 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery), etc. Additional deputy commissioner, ACB, S G Neklikar said, "We have registered the case against Bhujbal and five others following the order of Bombay High Court. Now we can probe specific charges."

Gaikwad is the brother of Sunil Gaikwad, BJP Lok Sabha member from Latur, while Shaha was information commissioner of Pune region whose appointment was terminated by the chief information commissioner last year on the ground that he was medically unfit.

In April this year, the High Court had observed that there was prima facie evidence and ACB can register FIR if a case of corruption was made out against Bhjujbal and others in connection with awarding of contract to reconstruct Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi at the cost of Rs 100 crore when he was the minister in the Congress-NCP government. Meanwhile, AAP hailed registration of FIR.

"As an FIR has been lodged, the agency would be able to speed up the investigation. This is a clear-cut case of kickbacks," said Preeti Sharma Menon, national spokesperson of AAP.

The High Court's order came on a PIL filed by AAP alleging that as the PWD minister, Bhujbal unduly favoured Chamankar Enterprises for the Maharashtra Sadan contract.

PTI