Eknath Khadse questioned by the ED for over nine hours

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Eknath Khadse, who joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) final 12 months was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for over nine hours on Thursday. The probe comes a day after his son-in-law was arrested by the company in the alleged cash laundering case associated to a land deal in Pune.

Mr. Khadse stated that he has obtained a clear chit in each probe performed in opposition to him and the ongoing investigation by the ED is nothing however politically motivated witch-hunting as he had dared to give up the BJP.

“The only reason why I am being targeted is that I joined the NCP and quit the BJP. I have been questioned five times in the past. How many times do they want to probe me?” he requested.

Mr. Khadse got here out of the ED workplace at 8.15 p.m. His lawyer stated that Mr. Khadse was able to co-operate with the company even in future and would seem if he was wanted once more. “We have given the documents sought by the ED and will also provide more documents in the next 10 days,” the lawyer stated.

The ED on Wednesday arrested Mr. Khadse’s son-in-law Girish Chaudhari in a cash laundering case associated to the land deal. Agency sources claimed that after questioning him for a number of hours on Tuesday, he refused to offer solutions to a number of questions and consequently, he needed to be arrested.

In 2016, it was alleged that as a Revenue Minister in the then State authorities led by Devendra Fadnavis, Mr. Khadse used his official place to affect officers for buying 3.1 acres at Bhosri in Pune at a value of ₹3.75 crore againts its reported worth of ₹31.01 crore.

Acting on orders issued by the Bombay High Court, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the Maharashtra Police registered an FIR in opposition to Mr. Khadse, his spouse Mandakini and Mr. Choudhari. Based on that, the ED additionally registered a cash laundering case in opposition to the chief.

Mr. Khadse’s celebration, the NCP, slammed the BJP alleging that it was utilizing Central companies to nook its opponents. “Not a single allegation against Khadse has been proven. He followed all the rules before purchasing the land. This investigation is nothing but to corner him politically,” stated NCP State president Jayant Patil.

When requested for his response, former chief minister and BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis stated that he was not the spokesperson of the ED and the company didn’t act on the BJP’s directions.