By IANS,
Mumbai : Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil Friday assured a police inquiry against his cabinet colleague, Water Resources Minister Sunil Tatkare and his family members for alleged charges of amassing huge wealth and assets.
Both Patil and Tatkare hail from the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The allegations, pertaining to land frauds, setting up many companies and amassing huge wealth, have been hurled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state vice-president Kirit Somaiya recently.
Patil announced in the legislative assembly that Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) would carry out a detailed investigation into the matter, following an uproar by Opposition legislators on the issue.
“As far as Kirit Somaiya’s allegations and complaints against Tatkare and his family are concerned, there are no specific proofs or evidences to investigate,” Patil contended.
He added in a lighter vein that (Kirit) Somaiya has made allegations or complaints against each and every person except the US President.
However, BJP legislator Devendra Phadnavis took umbrage at what he called “cheap, unparliamentary remarks against a senior leader like Somaiya” and demanded that Patil take back his comments.
Phadnavis was joined by other opposition members who created uproarious scenes and alleged that (Patil’s) home department was attempting to protect and shield Tatkare.
Later, after the Speaker managed to pacify the legislators, Patil assured that if all documents pertaining to Somaiya’s complaints are handed over to the police, necessary and immediate action would be initiated.
Patil added that after the evidences are handed over to the police, a full-fledged scrutiny would be carried out, the home department would fix the jurisdiction and the EOW of Mumbai police will investigate with the help of legal experts.