Sunil Tatkare land grab probe report handed over to Bombay high court

Three months after the Bombay high court ordered three state agencies to probe charges of money-laundering and land grab against state minister Sunil Tatkare, a report in a sealed envelope was submitted before the court on Tuesday.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had alleged that various companies floated by Tatkare and his relatives had laundered money and grabbed land. He had sought a probe by the CBI. 

Somaiya had listed 51 companies formed by Tatkare which have his family members and friends as directors. He alleged they had purchased benami land in the state and had indulged in money-laundering which ate into public funds at large.

In his reply affidavit, Tatkare, who holds the water resources portfolio in the state cabinet, has termed the petition as ‘false, malicious and politically motivated’.

On October 1, 2013, the court directed the state Anti-Corruption Bureau, Economic Offences Wing and Collector of Raigad to submit their report within three months — by December 31, 2013.

The judges have asked the ACB, which had turned in its report in Marathi, to submit a copy translated into English.

The matter has scheduled for hearing on January 24.