Kirit Somaiya detained on way to Kolhapur to file ‘graft case’

MUMBAI: BJP leader Kirit Somaiya’s campaign against ministers of the MVA government witnessed fresh drama with his detention at Karad railway station in the early hours of Monday. He was en route to Kolhapur where he was planning to lodge a complaint against rural development minister Hasan Mushrif from the NCP, whom he has accused of financial irregularities.

Even as BJP attacked the government, the Shiv Sena appeared to distance itself from the episode, saying the decision was taken by the NCP-controlled home department.
Somaiya had alleged Mushrif was involved in two scams: a Rs 127 crore money laundering case and a Rs 100 crore scam involved in purchase of a cooperative sugar factor in Kolhapur. Mushrif strongly denied the charges and said he would file two defamation suits for Rs 100 crore and Rs 50 crore against Somaiya.
The drama began on Sunday itself, when police teams arrived outside Somaiya’s Mulund residence in an attempt to restrain him from leaving for Kolhapur. Somaiya accused the government of “dadagiri” and alleged he was not being allowed to move freely in Mumbai. He later took the train to Kolhapur from Mumbai. After his detention at Karad on Monday, Somaiya returned to his Mulund residence, welcomed by hordes of BJP supporters.
“For the first time in independent India, the police have detained a person who was on his way to file a complaint against corruption,” said BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.
Sena MP Sanjay Raut said the Chief Minister’s office had nothing to do with it. “The home department must have felt there would be law and order issues so they took action. The Chief Minister’s office does not get involved in such small matters,” Raut said.
Home minister Dilip Walse Patil also said the action was taken by the home department, controlled by the NCP. “Normally when such incidents happen, the home minister and CM are briefed by district authorities. I don’t know if in this case, the CM was briefed. However, this decision was taken by the home department,” said Walse Patil. Responding to Somaiya’s charge that the action had been taken at Sharad Pawar’s behest, Patil said there was no question of Pawar’s interference.
Somaiya held a presser after his detention to sharpen his attack on Mushrif. “I have submitted specific evidence to the income-tax department, Enforcement Directorate and finance department against Mushrif. I have demanded criminal proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Mushrif has floated several benami firms and has diverted huge funds,” Somaiya alleged. He alleged Mushrif and his son-in-law have purchased a cooperative sugar factory in Kolhapur district in a Rs 100 crore scam.
Mushrif dismissed the charges as baseless and demanded an unconditional apology within 24 hours. He alleged state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil was the mastermind behind the “conspiracy.” “Patil had given me an offer to join BJP,” Mushrif alleged. Patil denied he was behind Somaiya.