Shiv Sena questions Eknath Khadse clean chit

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena party has raised questions about former BJP Minister Eknath Khadse being given a clean chit in the Bhosari land deal case by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

“Anjali Damania has alleged that Khadse was given clean chit due to pressure from the State Government. The Chief Minister is silent on the issue. We do not hold any grudges against Khadse. He has been given a clean chit just like those accused in 2G scam,” the Sena said in an editorial in its official mouthpiece Saamana.

Khadse had been charged with misusing his office to secure land for his relatives at a throwaway price. The charges against him were dropped earlier this week as the ACB was not able to produce any evidence to demonstrate his involvement in the irregularities.

The Sena said that Khadse, who was the Revenue Minister, was able to set up land deals for his wife and son-in-law as a result of which they were able to buy land worth `32 crore for `3.75 crore. “Damania had produced proof of the deals. The entire political system of Maharashtra was shocked and Khadse had to step down,” the party said.

Previously, corruption charges against Congress leader Kripashankar Singh were also dropped in a similar manner.

The Sena said that those who indulged in corruption and the commission of irregularities were often protected, and agencies like the CBI and the ACB were aware of that. “Those who are ‘ours’ are freed of allegations, while inconvenient people are under constant threat of action being taken against them,” it said.

Though the ACB has given Khadse a clean chit, the report of the Zoting Committee is yet to be made public.

“The Zoting Committee’s report has been submitted to the government. But it is the CM’s prerogative to consider or ignore it. We will find out in the future,” the Sena said, adding that it wished the common man was able to purchase land for as cheap as Khadse’s family had.