Shiv Sena MP Bhavana Gawali, minister Anil Parab figure on ED radar

Maharashtra Transport Minister Anil Parab (right) Bhavana Gawali is Shiv Sena’s five-term MP from Washim-Yavatmal

In a series of moves on Monday, the Enforcement Directorate searched institutions and organisations controlled by Shiv Sena's five-term MP from Washim-Yavatmal Bhavana Gawali and the premises of an officer who works with the state transport department led by senior Sena leader Anil Parab.

In Gawali's case, nine locations were searched over alleged financial irregularities in the companies linked to her. A complaint was filed in this case some months ago by Gawali's estranged former party colleague. The issue was pursued later by BJP's ex-MP Kirit Somaiya. Among the organisations searched were Mahila Utkarsh Pratishthan, Balaji Sahakari Particle Board, BAMS College, Bhawna Agro Product Services Limited.

The searches evoked a strong reaction from the Sena and its MVA partners. They alleged vendetta politics by the Centre. They linked the action to the recent political developments in the state. Parab was summoned on Sunday to appear before the agency on Tuesday. It wasn't clear whether the minister would be questioned in the alleged malpractices in the transport department or a case related to the former home minister Anil Deshmukh.

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Transport officer Bajrang Kharmate, whose Nagpur residence was searched, has been on the radar after complaints were lodged about alleged financial dealings in transfers. Parab said on Sunday that the agency hadn't given a reason for summoning him, but sources said he could be questioned in the alleged scam in the transport department, if he visits ED office on Tuesday.

Kharmate, who heads Nagpur (Rural) regional transport office, faces allegations of collecting money from the officers against desired postings. A suspended motor vehicle inspector, Gajendra Patil, had lodged a complaint, naming Parab and senior transport officials for graft. Refuting the charges, Parab had said Patil had acted out of a grudge to malign his image and the MVA government because action had been taken against him following many complaints. The Nashik police had initiated an inquiry into the allegations and found the charges baseless.

Gawali came down heavily on the BJP, saying that the action reminded of the Emergency era. "The Sena is targeted. I had lodged a complaint about the missing money from my office. ED hasn't given us any notice before conducting searches. They will find nothing. A BJP legislator from my district has been accused of a R500-crore scam. Will ED probe him?" she told mediapersons.

‘It's the beginning'

Somaiya said it was the beginning. "ED has started it. Next in the line will be the Central Bureau of Investigations, Income Tax department and State Bank of India," he said. He alleged that Gawali had sold a defunct state-supported factory founded by her father to her benami company for peanuts and that she illegally sold the factory land to a family organisation and caused financial losses to the government by not depositing the money.

09
No. of locations searched over allegations linked to Gawali