Minister accused of acquiring prime land without auction
MUMBAI, June 12 -- State social justice minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat has been accused of obtaining five acres of prime land at Shendra Five Star Industrial Area of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad) by misusing his position. The accusation has come from former MP and AIMIM leader Imtiyaz Jaleel, who said the land was allotted to the minister's son, Siddhant, by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) without following the due process, which includes auction.
The reservation for a truck terminus on the plot was also changed before the allotment.
Jaleel on Wednesday also alleged that Shirsat misused his position to buy five more properties in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar between September 2024 and January 2025, at much cheaper prices than the prevailing rates. He also shared the documents of the land dealings which state that the properties were bought in the name of Shirsat's sons, Siddhant and Tushar, and his wife, Vijaya.
According to the documents, a plot of land measuring 21,275 square meter was allotted to Siddhant for setting up a manufacturing unit of chemicals for absolute alcohol, rectified spirit and extra neutral alcohol, for Rs.6,09,40,200 on December 28, 2023, for a period of 95 years. The said plot was allotted four months after its reservation was changed to industrial use as it was reserved for a truck terminus. The order was issued by the minor modification committee (MMC) of MIDC on August 24, 2024.
Jaleel emphasised that the MIDC should have auctioned the plot as per its rules which clearly state that in an industrial area, where more than 80% plots are allotted, the remaining plots shall be allotted by way of auction. "Not only this, MIDC also dereserved the plot ignoring the fact that there is an urgent need to build a truck terminus on it," he added.
Demanding a thorough investigation into the matter, Jaleel has sought time from the chief minister and the governor to hand over the documents to them. He is ready to approach the ED, CBI, income tax department (IT) and anti-corruption bureau (ACB) if the state government does not act on his demand. "I am preparing to go to court in case the matter is not investigated by any of them," he informed.
Reacting to the allegations, Shirsat told mediapersons: "I don't want to comment on the allegations made by him (Jaleel) as I don't care about such people. I will take appropriate legal action against him."...
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