A Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai has rejected the bail petition of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal in connection with the Maharashtra Sadan scam.
NCP leader and former Deputy Chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal had sought bail on health grounds saying he had multiple problems, including diabetes, blood pressure, chronic asthama and blockages in heart. Designated PMLA Judge P R Bhavake, however, rejected Bhujbal’s bail application following Enforcement Directorate’s objection that investigations was still on in the case.
Further, ED lawyer had opposed bail saying the diseases cited by Bhujbal are not new; adding that he is being given proper medical treatment.
Bhujbal is currently lodged at Arthur Road Prison along with his nephew and former MP, Sameer who was also arrested in the same case on similar charges.
Bhujbal was arrested by ED on March 14 for money laundering and causing a loss to the exchequer of Rs 840 crore. It is alleged that Bhujbal, his son, and his nephew, accepted cash for awarding projects to the contractors, then channelled the illegal cash into various companies controlled by them
