State stays ₹137-cr fine notice against Khadse and family
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on March 1 issued an order staying a notice issued against NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Eknath Khadse and his family members, directing them to pay over ₹137 crore as a fine for allegedly excavating minor minerals without permission. According to Khadse, the decision came following an appeal he filed against the notice as natural justice, which the state government has agreed to look into.
On October 6, 2023, the tehsildar of Muktainagar taluka in Jalgaon district issued a notice saying that Khadse, his wife Mandakini, daughter Rohini and daughter-in-law BJP MP Raksha had illegally excavated 1.18 lakh brass of murum (fragmented weathered rock)) andd blackblk stone without takking necessary permissioon from the concerned authori-a ties. “The fine ammount of ₹137,14,81,883 shoulds be paid within 155 days from the date ofo the issuance of the notice,” read the noticee. The notice was isssued based on a probee report of a special investigation team (SIT) headed by Nashik divisional commissioner Dr Radhakrishna Game formed to probe allegations of illegal excavation against Khadse and others. The SIT was formed on February 28 last year following allegations made by an independent MLA and his rival Chandrakant Patil during the winter session of the state legislature in 2022. HT reported about the formation of the SIT against Khadse on March 2 last year.
“It was a one-sided report based on which notice was issued. We filed an appeal to the district administration requesting natural justice, as our side was not considered before initiating the penal action. On March 1 the notice was stayed, and soon our side will be heard,” Khadse told HT. According to the allegations, Khadse excavated minor minerals i l from the plot, sold the em to a contractor an d earned crores, whic ch led to a loss of reven nue to the state exch hequer, as one is expec cted to pay royalty, bbesides taking prior ppermission for excavat tion.
Khadse had dismissed all the allegations.