Khadse gets clean chit in land grab case

In a major reprieve to senior BJP leader and former minister Eknath Khadse, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the Maharashtra Police has given him a clean chit in a land grabbing case.

The ACB has filed its final report before a Pune court stating that the allegations of “misuse of power and position as a minister” in the Bhosari MIDC land deal, are not proved against Khadse, the then revenue minister.

Social activist Anjali Damania had complained against Khadse, and when the case caught public attention, he had to resign from the Devendra Fadnavis government, where he was the No 2. Damania is now set to challenge the issue in the Bombay High Court.

"This is how the BJP saves their corrupt ministers. I had given all proofs in Bhosari land to ACB in August 2017. If the ACB has given a clean chit to Khadse, I will challenge it in the high court immediately," she tweeted.

Khadse, however, said that the charges levelled against him were false.

"The allegations against me were with malicious intent. They have been proved as false in the enquiry. Those who made the charges have fallen flat on their faces," he said.

Asked whether he would be reinducted during the reshuffle, Khadse said he would abide by whatever decision the party takes.