Statement of Chhagan Bhujbal's nephew recorded

The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday recorded the statement of Sameer Bhujbal, nephew of former Public Works Department (PWD) minister Chhagan Bhujbal in connection with of their investigation into the Bandra MIG Colony redevelopment project. On Tuesday, ACB had summoned Chhagan Bhujbal and recorded his statement.

According to sources in the bureau, Sameer presented himself before the investigation officer and recorded his statement. "Sameer was issued a summons in connection with the case and he present himself before us," said an officer privy to the investigation.

The ACB has also issued summons to Bhujbal's son Pankaj in connection with the inquiry. "In our inquiry, we have come to know that both Sameer and Pankaj were beneficiaries of the kickback received and hence we wanted to record their statements," said another officer.

The ACB has launched an open inquiry into nine allegations levelled by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) against Bhujbal in their public interest litigation (PIL). In their inquiry into the Bandra MIG Colony redevelopment contract, which was awarded to three private firms, ACB sleuths have found that Bhujbal family has received kickbacks of around Rs40 crore from the firms.

"We have found enough evidence against Bhujbal in the inquiry of the redevelopment project and we are likely to file an FIR in the case," said an officer. "Even though Bhujbal claims that the project was cancelled by the government, there is proof that money was given to Bhujbal as interest-free loan which looks like bribe. Bhujbal claims that he returned the money back too," he added.