Consumer forum boss to be quizzed after daughter’s arrest

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will soon seek to question state consumer redressal forum president, SB Mhase, over the Rs30-lakh bribe demanded by his daughter.

On Wednesday, Mhase’s daughter Madhaveshwari, a lawyer, was arrested with her two accomplices, who were caught while accepting the money.

The CBI sources said Mhase’s questioning is necessary because many times Madhaveshwari and Sunil Shirole - one of the accused in the case who is untraceable - have mentioned his name during conversations with the complainant.

They had allegedly spoken about how Mhase could make use of his influence to settle the case in the complainant’s favour.
The complainant, a resident of Sindhudurg, had approached the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi, after his case was dismissed by the state consumer disputes redressal forum.

The complainant was claiming a compensation of Rs95 lakh from a builder. The CBI, in their remand application, submitted in the sessions court claimed that Madhaveshwari, in a recorded conversation, told the complainant that she would manage to get a favourable order from the National Consumer Redressal Commission through her father’s influence. She allegedly demanded Rs30 lakh for it.

The CBI officials said members of the state and National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission are likely to be questioned. Madhaveshwari was remanded in police custody till October 17.