A sessions court has once again rejected the bail application of NCP MLA Ramesh Kadam in a case pertaining to alleged misappropriation of funds and financial irregularities in the Lokshahir Annabhau S
A sessions court has once again rejected the bail application of NCP MLA Ramesh Kadam in a case pertaining to alleged misappropriation of funds and financial irregularities in the Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Development Corporation. Kadam, an MLA from Mohol in Solapur, was the chairman of the corporation between 2010 and 2014, when the alleged irregularities to the tune of around Rs 300 crore took place.
Kadam, who was arrested on August 17, 2015, has filed a bail application.
The matter came to light when a question was raised in the state Assembly and the government formed a committee to inquire into the allegations of misappropriation, illegalities and embezzlement of funds in the corporation.
The Committee had submitted its report to the DGP and, on the basis of this report, an FIR was registered and Kadam was arrested.
The report alleged that Kadam, with the help of co-accused, had diverted the funds that were allotted to the corporation for his personal use. The investigation of this case was handed over to the CID which filed a chargesheet in the matter claiming that the accused committed cheating and forgery and siphoned off around Rs 300 crore.
Kadam, however, in his bail application contended that he has not committed any offence as alleged, and that he was falsely implicated in the case. He sought bail on the ground that the investigation into the matter was over and the chargesheet had been filed; the prosecution’s case was based on documentary evidence and the other co-accused had been released on bail. He also claimed he was not a public servant within the purview of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Public prosecutor P.P. Chavan opposed the plea on the ground that the bail application had already been rejected by this court earlier, and there was no substantial changes in circumstances to consider it again. He also argued that the corporation was a government company funded by the central and state governments. The sole purpose of establishing the corporation was to utilise the funds for the economic upliftment of backward classes. Special ACB court judge A.D. Tankhiwale rejected the bail plea.
