20 October,2023 06:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ravindra Waikar/ X
The Mumbai Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) summoned Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former minister Ravindra Waikar in the Jogeshwari BMC Plot and five-star hotel Rs 500 crore scam case. Waikar has been asked to appear for questioning on Monday.
In a social media post, news agency ANI stated Mumbai Police saying, "EOW of Mumbai Police summons Uddhav group MLA and former minister Ravindra Waikar in Jogeshwari BMC plot and five-star hotel 500 crore scam case. Ravindra Waikar has been asked to appear for questioning on Monday."
The Sena MLA has been questioned by the EOW before in connection with the case. The case pertains to allegations levelled against him and others of obtaining permission to build a five-star hotel using his clout and causing loss to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
MLA from Jogeshwari had allegedly obtained permission to construct a hotel on a plot reserved for a garden using his political influence. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had filed a complaint and alleged that the "scam" was worth Rs 500 crore.
Based on the complaint by Somaiya, the EOW launched a probe and also sent notices to officials of the BMC's Garden and Building Department.
"The EOW conducts preliminary enquiry in every complaint it receives. But no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered yet in this case and investigation is underway," the official had told news agency PTI previously.
Waikar, a former minister in Devendra Fadnavis's cabinet between 2014 and 2019, has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Jogeshwari East for three consecutive terms since 2009. He was a BMC corporator from 1992 to 2010 and has also served as chairman of the Standing Committee of the civic body between 2006 and 2010.
Further details awaited
