Maharashtra PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal’s troubles are far from over. Sunil Karve, founder trustee of Mr Bhujbal’s Mumbai Education Trust, filed a criminal petition in the Bombay high court on Tuesday, demanding a CBI investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds in the MET by the minister and his family.
Mr Karve, who moved the HC through his counsel Sayaji Nangre, demanded the CBI inquiry against Mr Bhujbal and several of his family members for allegedly embezzling the trust’s funds and property for their personal benefit.
Mr Karve had filed a plaint on February 1 with the Mumbai police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) seeking an investigation against Mr Bhujbal, his wife Meena, son Pankaj, daughter-in-law Vishakha and nephew Sameer. However, when the EOW did not initiate any inquiry, Mr Karve approached the HC seeking a CBI probe.
On Monday, the HC issued a notice to the minister seeking his reply on a PIL filed by a freedom fighter alleging that the minister’s trust, which runs the Bhujbal Knowledge City in Nashik, has charged exorbitant fees to the tune of `8 crore from students since 2010.
Following the HC notice issued to him, Mr Bhujbal on Tuesday said he had faced many difficult situations in his political career and that this time too, he would come out clean. “My family and I have not used a single rupee belonging to MET. Since the matter is subjudice, we will explain our position in court. If proven guilty, I will quit politics,” he said.