Maharashtra Sadan case: ED searches premises of developer who was given contract

The Chamankars – the developer family booked in the Maharashtra Sadan scam, along with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal – were questioned in connection with the case on Monday.

The Chamankars – the developer family booked in the Maharashtra Sadan scam, along with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal – were questioned in connection with the case on Monday. The enforcement directorate (ED) also conducted searches at four premises owned by the family across Mumbai.

According to the FIR filed by the anti-corruption bureau (ACB), the firm owned by KS Chamankar was allegedly allowed to carry out the makeover of the Maharashtra Sadan and the Andheri RTO in lieu of FSI for a slum rehabilitation project in Andheri. The ACB has booked KS Chamankar, Pravina Chamankar, Pranita Chamankar and Prasanna Chamankar. The FIR said the move benefited the developer, but the state suffered losses.

The ACB is looking at corruption and misuse of power, while the ED is looking at the financial dealings in the case. “Four spots belonging to KS Chamankar were searched,” said a high-ranking ED officer, on condition of anonymity. ED sources said Chamankar’s house and offices at Versova and Vakola were searched.

The central agency also conducted searches at the office of one Rajesh Mistry in Vakola.

Based on the investigation, the ED also raided the premises of a company that allegedly purchased shares at inflated rates from the company promoted by the Bhujbals. “There are four companies registered on the same address. We are verifying their credentials,” said the ED officer.

The Maharashtra Sadan case
The anti-corruption bureau (ACB) has filed an FIR against former public works department (PWD) minister Chhagan Bhujbal, his son Pankaj, nephew Sameer and 14 others in the Maharashtra Sadan case

According to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya and activist Anjali Damania, a private developer was allowed to carry out the makeover of the Maharashtra Sadan and the RTO at Andheri, in lieu of FSI for a slum rehabilitation project in Andheri

The FIR stated the move benefited the developer, KS Chamankar, but the state suffered losses

The accused allegedly gave government land to Chamankar for his benefit. “Bhujbal was in the lead to develop the RTO’s land by the PWD department,” states the FIR

The ACB has booked government employees and private parties namely Arun Devdhar, Manik Shah, Devdutt Marathe, Deepak Despande, Bipin Sankhe, Anilkumar Gaikwad, Krishna Chamankar, Pravina Chamankar, Pranita Chamankar, Prasanna Chamankar, Tanvir Shaikh, Iram Shaikh, Sanjay and Geeta Joshi.