Jalgaon district officials imposed a fine of Rs 137 crore on NCP MLA Eknath Khadse and his daughter-in-law Raksha Khadse for conducting soil excavation without necessary permissions.
Eknath Khadse/ File Photo
Government authorities in Jalgaon district, North Maharashtra, have issued a notice to NCP legislator Eknath Khadse and his daughter-in-law Raksha Khadse, who is a BJP Lok Sabha member, demanding a fine of Rs 137 crore for allegedly excavating soil without the necessary permissions from their land, stated a report in PTI.
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The Tehsildar of Muktainagar taluka in Jalgaon issued the notice on October 6, citing the illegal excavation of 1.18 lakh brass of murum (fragmented weathered rock) and black stone, which was carried out without securing additional permissions from the authorities, the report further stated.
The land where the excavation occurred is owned by Eknath Khadse, his wife Mandakini Khadse, his daughter Rohini Khadse, and his daughter-in-law Raksha Khadse. The notice specifies that the fine must be paid within 15 days from the date of issuance.
Eknath Khadse, a former member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for four decades, left the party and joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar in 2020. Currently, he serves as a member of the Maharashtra legislative council, while his daughter-in-law Raksha Khadse represents the Raver Lok Sabha seat.
Eknath Khadse, has been embroiled in a money laundering case as well related to a land deal in Pune involving his family. He and his wife were recently granted bail by a court in Mumbai in connection with the case. He had previously secured interim protection from arrest granted by the court in October 2021, a safeguard that remained in effect until today, the report stated.
Khadse and his wife were named as accused in the charge sheet presented by the Enforcement Directorate in the case.
Justice RN Rokade, a special judge for criminal cases involving MPs and MLAs, permitted his release on bail and imposed a bond of Rs 2 lakhs with one or more sureties of a similar amount.
Additionally, the court has imposed the condition that Khadse, a former Maharashtra minister, is not to leave India without explicit permission. He was also instructed not to tamper with prosecution witnesses or evidence in any way, stated a report in PTI.
With PTI inputs
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