Plea in Bombay HC alleging corruption by Maharashtra Transport Minister Anil Parab, seeks central probe

A division bench of Justice S S Shinde and Justice N J Jamadar was on Wednesday hearing a writ petition filed by Patil seeking investigation into alleged corruption in the state transport department by independent central probe agencies, preferably CBI.

In the plea, filed through advocates V P Rane and Venkatesh Shewale, Patil has claimed that he was suspended after he complained about the alleged corruption to his superior. He also alleged that at border checkposts, cases against private operators are settled and BS-4 vehicles registered illegally.

Parab was recently summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case in which allegations have been levelled against former state home minister Anil Deshmukh. He had come under ED scanner after dismissed Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze claimed that the transport minister had asked him to extort Rs 50 crore from a private trust.

The HC on Wednesday refused urgent hearing in Patil’s plea and posted the matter to October 8. “Courts should not be used for political battles,” it said.