Bhosari Land Deal: ED quizzes Eknath Khadse for six hours

NCP leader Eknath Khadse, who had received summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) appeared before the agency on Friday morning for the first time. He was questioned by the agency for around six hours.

Khadse, who has been nominated by NCP to the legislative council from the Governor’s quota, was summoned in connection with the purchase of a three-acre plot on his wife’s name in Bhosari near Pune.

“I was called for questioning regarding the Bhosari case. I have made an effort to answer the questions posed by the officers in detail,” Khadse told media-persons post his questioning. “I will cooperate further with the investigations and will provide information and documents as required,” he said. The leader stated that he would appear before the agency whenever he has been called for the questioning. Khadse reached the agency’s Ballard Estate office on Friday morning. The leader had earlier sought more time from the agency due to health concerns.

The ED’s probe is based on an FIR filed by the state AntiCorruption Bureau (ACB) in April 2017 against Khadse, his wife Mandakini, son-inlaw Girish Choudhary and others.

A complaint was filed by Pune based businessman Hemant Gawande accusing Khadse of defrauding the public exchequer in the Bhosari land deal. As per the allegations, the land was purchased in the name of Khadse’s wife and son-in-law for Rs 3.75 crore, much lower than the estimated market price of Rs 40 crore.

The ACB case was filed acting on the orders of the Bombay High Court. In 2018, the ACB said it failed to find “definite proof ” that Khadse misused his official position.