Court cancels NBW issued against 3 Maharashtra Sadan scam accused

A special court on Wednesday cancelled the non-bailable warrants issued against three accused in the Maharashtra Sadan scam case. Former Public Works Department (PWD) minister Chhagan Bhujbhal and his nephew Sameer have been arrested in connection with the case.

While setting aside the warrants issued against Vinod Goenka, Asif Balwa and Sanjay Kakade, the court noted that notices asking the accused to be present before the court should have been issued before the issue of arrest warrants. Hence, proper procedure was not followed.

Appearing for Kakade, senior counsel Amit Desai had argued before the court on Tuesday that "section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) will not apply to the applicant, because he was not charge-sheeted by the Anti-Corruption bureau (ACB)".

Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court has granted interim relief to Pankaj Bhujbhal, son of Chhagan Bhujbhal, and directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to not execute the non-bailable warrant issued against him until June 7. The relief was granted to 15 other accused against whom warrants have been issued.

The PMLA court also extended the judicial custody of Bhujbhal and Sameer till June 7. The high court is likely to hear the temporary bail application moved by Chhagan Bhujbhal on medical grounds on May 27.