Money laundering case: Bombay HC extends interim protection from arrest to Pankaj Bhujbal, others

The Bombay High Court on Monday extended interim protection from arrest granted to NCP legislator Pankaj Bhujbal and others accused in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate.

Justice P N Deshmukh was hearing anticipatory bail applications filed by Pankaj and others, after non-bailable warrants were issued against them by special court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases in the Maharashtra Sadan scam. The high court posted the applications for further hearing on August 26, and extended the interim protection from arrest granted to all the accused.

Pankaj's father and former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and cousin Sameer are the main accused in the case. Both have been arrested and are presently in Arthur road prison in central Mumbai.

According to ED, the Bhujbal family allegedly conspired along with several others to divert or 'launder' kickbacks received by Chhagan Bhujbal, when he was state Public Works Department minister. On March 30 this year, the ED filed a charge sheet naming Chhagan Bhujbal, Pankaj, Sameer and firms such as DB Realty, Balwa group, Neelkamal Realtors and Builders, Neelkamal Central Apartment LLP and Kakade Infrastructure.

The charges relate to the contract for construction of the state guest house - 'Maharashtra Sadan' - in Delhi and the Kalina land-grabbing case in Mumbai.