BJP MLA objects to CM’s probe team

Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Anil Gote has opposed the panel set by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in the former Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) MD Radheshyam Mopalwar’s probe case. The CM had announced a probe into the allegations against Mr Mopalwar and had set up a committee consisting of former chief secretary, Johny Joseph and other two senior officers. Mr Gote has objected on the appointment of these officers, considering the sensitive nature of the case.

“Mr Mopalwar is a senior officer and Mr Joseph and others also hold senior ranks in bureaucracy. In such a case, the probe might get influenced. Former Justice of Bombay high court would be the right person to investigate into these allegations,” said Mr Gote. In a way, it seems that he is rejecting Mr Fadnavis’ decision.

The CM-led government has recently come under the line of fire in the Assembly session when an alleged conversation of Mr Mopalwar went viral. In the conversation, Mr Mopalwar could be heard speaking about money and other controversial issues. When the tapes leaked, Mr Mopalwar was looking after the Samruddhi Mahamarg, Mr Fadnavis’ ambitious project to connect Mumbai and Nagpur.

After the alleged conversation came into the public domain, Mr Fadnavis announced Mr Mopalwar to sit out from his post and ordered a probe into the matter by senior officers of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). Mr Gote, the complainant in the cases against Mr Mopalwar, has opposed this panel of officers.

“If you want to probe an officer, then you must do it through other designated people. Mr Joseph and the others come from a bureautic background. Considering this, it is not possible to do a free and fair probe. Therefore, the state government must handover the issue to a retired Justice of Bombay high court,” demanded Mr Gote.