AAP accuses Ashish Shelar of corruption

Even as the BJP is battling allegations of corruption on its ministers, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has levelled serious allegations against the party’s Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar, saying that he was involved in money-laundering. The AAP has registered a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing and Enforcement Directorate asking them to investigate the issue. However, Mr Shelar denied the allegations and said he was ready to face any inquiry.

AAP national executive member Preeti Sharma Menon told reporters on Wednesday that Mr Shelar formed Sarveshwar Logistics Private Limited in 2010, but the company conducts no visible business and does not have employees or any project work. Despite having very low annual revenues, it immediately received share application money of Rs 3.6 crore and loans and advances of Rs 26 lakh in its very first year. It also purchased property worth Rs 3 crore, she said.

She further alleged that Mr Shelar, who is also a director in Riddhi Dealmark Private Limited, incorporated in 2010, concealed the information about it in his 2014 Assembly election affidavit. “Riddhi Dealmark Private Limited, registered in Kolkata, has conducted no business and its revenues have been in the range of Rs 7,000 crore annually. The original Kolkata-based directors of Riddhi, Premnath Mali and Jitendra Chaudhary, sold their shares to Shelar and his PA, Prakash Patil, within one month of starting (the company). In the first year, Riddhi received Rs 20 lakh as share application money. Ridhhi’s balance sheets show that in the next year, Rs 20 lakh was invested in Shelar’s other company — Sarveshwar but there is no record of the Rs 20 lakh in Sarveshwar’s balance sheets. These are clear cases of money-laundering as the same modus operandi was used by (NCP leader) Chhagan Bhujbal,” said Ms Menon.

However, Mr Shelar has refuted all allegations, saying he is ready to face any inquiry.

The Sarveshwar Logistics company has filed income tax returns and its audit assessment has also been carried out. The loan to the company was given on personal guarantee. “I resigned from Sarveshwar Logistics in June this year. In case of Riddhi Dealmark and Opera Relators, both the companies were struck off by the Registrar of Companies after I had quit them. Even in the election affidavit, I have given all the necessary information regarding the investment I have made,” said Mr Shelar.