Eknath Khadse’s son-in-law brings in trouble with converted limousine

In yet another controversy, revenue minister Eknath Khadse’s son-in-law has come under scanner for possessing a modified limousine. Activist Anjali Damania has alleged that the norms had been flouted while modifying the vehicle and hence it should be seized.

Mr Khadse’s son-in-law Manish Khevalkar owns a Hyundai Sonata, registered with Jalgaon RTO, which has been converted into a limousine.

“As per the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Act Section 52, modification into a limousine is not permitted. Mr Khevalkar has modified the car without seeking permission from the RTO. It has been

registered as Hyundai Sonata and has been converted into a limousine. His car should be seized by the RTO,” Ms Damania said.

As per the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Act Section 52, a vehicle should not be altered in such a way that the particulars contained in the certificate of registration, differs from those originally specified by the manufacturer.

Ms Damania further alleged that originally, the vehicle belonged to Pradeep Thambi, who had modified the vehicle into a limousine in 2001. The RTO had stopped him in 2006 while running the super luxury car on the Mumbai roads. However, he managed to get relief from it by saying that it was a prototype car and not for sale. But later, it was sent to Haryana. Mr Khevalkar brought it back on September 27, 2012 to Jalgaon, the activist claimed. “It is necessary to verify a car physically before registration. But in Mr Khevalkar’s case, it has not done. Otherwise, the RTO would not have allowed the luxury car’s registration, as it has clearly flouted the norms. The car is illegal and should be seized,” Ms Damania said.

Reacting on the matter, Mr Khadse said, “Anyone without any credibility cannot make allegations against me. I have spent 40 years in politics. These people cannot even get elected for gram panchayat polls. My son-in-law comes from a well-settled family and can afford to buy a limousine. What is illegal in that ”