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ED troubling me, Chaggan Bhujbal tells court

NCP leader remanded in judicial custody till March 31

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Former Maharashtra deputy CM Chaggan Bhujbal told the court for Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (SPMLA) on Thursday that he was unnecessary troubled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials. ED had sought seven more days' custody of Bhujbal, accused of receiving kickbacks in awarding of contract for the state guest-house Maharashtra Sadan, but the court remanded him in judicial custody till March 31.

Bhujbal, dressed in his trade mark white kurta and muffler around his neck, told the court: "They came to question me at 11:30 in the night. I told them that they can take it early in the morning... I was present before the officer early morning but he kept me waiting. Even the witnesses were present but they kept doing some other work."

Advocate Hiten Venegaonkar, appearing for the authority, told the court that the ED officials could not interrogate Bhujbal on Wednesday due to him complaining of chest pain. "A team of doctors then attended to him. The test results showed nothing wrong," said Venegaonkar. He added: "We wanted to confront Bhujbal with the witnesses whose statement were recorded but could not do it due to his health complaints".

The prosecution also told the court that there are material that points at Bhujbal's direct involvement in generating Rs 200 crore and hence his interrogation is absolutely necessary.

However, defence lawyer refuted the charges and pointed out that Bhujbal is 69 years old and a chronic asthma patient for the last 20 years. "His medical issues can't be neglected and seen as a waste of time," he said.

Arrested on March 14, the NCP leader will be lodged in high-security Arthur Road jail here now.

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