High court raps EOW, ACB in Tatkare probe

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police and the Maharashtra Anticorruption Bureau (ACB) for apparent failure on their part to investigate allegations against NCP minister Sunil Tatkare of corruption and amassing large amounts of wealth. Justice DY Chandrachud and justice MS Sonak expressed displeasure over the fact that the investigation agencies not only failed to carry out fair investigations into the allegations against the minister but also tried to pass the buck to the Income Tax department, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Registrar of Companies, by suggesting the issues lay in their jurisdiction.

The bench has, however, granted an additional three months to the EOW and the probe into the allegations and also made it clear that it would consider issuing further directions, including handing over of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), after the agencies submitted their respective reports.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya alleging that the NCP minister had amassed large amounts of wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. Responding to the PIL, advocate general Darius Khambata had assured the court that the EOW, Mumbai, the ACB and the Collector, Raigad, would look into the matter.

Accordingly, the EOW and ACB commenced their respective inquiries into the allegations of the BJP leader and their respective status reports have also been submitted to the court. On Tuesday, the high court expressed displeasure over the probe carried out by these