ED arrests Chhagan Bhujbal in Maharashtra Sadan scam

Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested senior NCP leader and former Maharashtra PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal in connection with Money Laundering case related to Maharashtra Sadan scam. He was arrested last night after ED questioned him for more than eleven hours at its Mumbai office.

Bhujbal will be produced in Mumbai’s sessions’ court today where the ED is likely to seek his custody. As per procedure, ED authorities will also have to inform the Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly as Bhujbal is a Member of the House and the Budget Session is currently in progress.

The move comes after the



arrest of Bhujbal's nephew Sameer by the ED last month. Sameer is currently lodged in Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail. Chhagan Bhujbal’s son, Pankaj, has also been questioned in the case. Earlier yesterday morning, Chhagan Bhujbal, accompanied by NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad, reached the ED’s office. Mr. Awhad had then told media that the entire party along with NCP Chief Sharad Pawar is with Chhagan Bhujbal.

Enforcement Directorate has filed two FIRs against the Bhujbals and others under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act(PMLA) to probe the Delhi-based Maharashtra Sadan construction scam and the Kalina land grabbing case. The ED has also ordered attachment of three properties with an estimated worth of over 280 crore rupees.