The state government has decided to adopt a “wait and watch” policy to ascertain the exact links of transport officer Ravi Gaikwad with IPL (team Kochi) before initiating any action against him.
The state government has decided to adopt a “wait and watch” policy to ascertain the exact links of transport officer Ravi Gaikwad with IPL (team Kochi) before initiating any action against him.
“Ravi Gaikwad’s probe has to be conducted by the IPL authorities and Income Tax officials. If they seek any information from us, we will provide them the necessary support,” said transport minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.
The state government has not heard anything from these two authorities till now. “Therefore, the question of ordering his suspension on the issue of IPL does not arise,” Vikhe-Patil said.
Ravi Gaikwad is the younger brother of Kochi team (Rendezvous) promoter Shailendra Gaikwad.
The minister revealed that Gaikwad was already facing an inquiry related to a transport scam for which he had been transferred a few months ago. “As far as the scam is concerned, we are waiting for the final report from the CID,” Vikhe-Patil said.
He is facing charges of corruption as deputy regional transport officer at the Andheri RTO. He is among 18 officials in the department indicted in the evasion of duty scam unearthed by the directorate of revenue intelligence last year.
The government has lost several crores of rupees due to the fraudulent registration of imported bikes and duty evasion on celebrity vehicles.
The government had suspended 11 officials in the case. But the final report on the role of seven others, including Gaikwad, is still awaited.
Since the initial report indicated he had a minor role, he was transferred to Beed. However, Gaikwad did not join his new office and went on leave.
A senior official in the transport ministry said, “The department has sought an explanation from him for his long absence from office. Now, with the IPL controversy we will also have to find out to what extent he is linked.”
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