Pune land deal: Eknath Khadse reaches ED workplace, says case ‘politically motivated’

NCP chief Eknath Khadse on Thursday reached the Mumbai workplace of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file his assertion in reference to a case pertaining to a 2016 land deal in Pune. Khadse added that the case towards him is “politically motivated.”
The ED had on Wednesday issued summons to Khadse, following the arrest of his son-in-law, Girish Chaudhri, for alleged cash laundering.
“I’ll cooperate (with the ED probe). Entire Maharashtra can see what is happening. Everyone knows this is politically motivated. The inquiry has already been done 5 times. It is being done again now. ACB has given a report that there is no evidence,” stated Khadse upon arrival on the ED workplace.

The ED has alleged Chaudhri and Khadse purchased land in Bhosari village in Pune for Rs 3.75 crore when its precise worth was over Rs 31 crore. The land was bought in Chaudhri’s title and the cash for the deal was allegedly routed by way of 5 shell firms, stated an ED official.

Last October, the ED had filed an Enforcement Case Information Report towards Khadse, his spouse Mandakini Khadse, Chaudhri, and Abbas Ukani within the alleged seize of Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation land at Bhosari village in Pune. Ukani is the unique proprietor of the land.
The company has alleged that Khadse – who was the state income minister in 2016 – through the use of his official place and authorities equipment, manipulated the precise market value of the land. The deal, in keeping with ED, has brought on a lack of Rs 61.25 crore to the general public exchequer.