State govt yet to give cops nod to begin probe against Bhujbal

The state government has clarified that the police probe against public works minister Chhagan Bhujbal, for alleged irregularities in the makeover of Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi, has not yet been initiated.

The state government has clarified that the police probe against public works minister Chhagan Bhujbal, for alleged irregularities in the makeover of Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi, has not yet been initiated.

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On Tuesday, while chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had said that the home department might have given a nod to the inquiry, home minister RR Patil maintained he had not. “I have not given sanction for any probe,” Patil said on Thursday, reiterating that the general administration department (GAD) headed by the CM will take the final decision.

Chief secretary JK Banthia said on the issue: “The government has not yet given a go-ahead to the ACB [anti-corruption bureau] for an open probe. The file is in process.” Under service rules, a discreet inquiry has been initiated by the ACB on their own, for which no government sanction is required, he added.

Banthia said the file has moved from the home department to the GAD, after seeking opinion from the public works department. “In cases like these, which are under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the CM takes a call,” Banthia said.