As Fadnavis approaches MHA over Vazegate, stage set for a Centre versus State clash

Dr Kirit Somaiya demands a multi-agency probe into the Vazegate money trail. Now ATS demands custody of Sachin Vaze from NIA

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Mumbai: Political muck has begun flying thick and fast as Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) leader of opposition in Legislative Assembly Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday air-dashed to New Delhi to submit 6.3GB of data into the alleged transfer racket of bureaucrats in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) which also probing the Vazegate too making claims of breakthrough has sought the custody of suspended cop Sachin Vaze from National Investigation Agency (NIA). Stage is set for a show-down between the Centre and BJP on one hand and the Shiv Sena led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra.

Before departing for New Delhi in the afternoon, Fadnavis stated that he was only disclosing parts of the official letters of correspondence contained in the sensitive 6.3GB data that he had with him. He added that the data contains the names of many police officers and political leaders. Fadnavis was slated to call on Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla in New Delhi later in the day and hand him over the controversial data.

Senior BJP leader Dr Kirit Somaiya demanded that the money trail and beneficiaries of the Sachin Vaze extortion racket must be investigated by National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Registrar of Companies (ROC) and Income Tax (IT). Somaiya demanded that the cash trail, beneficiaries, use of Bitcoins, Benami Property accounts, transactions, companies, off-shore companies and other transactions must be investigated.

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Launching a counter-offensive against Fadnavis, state Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson Nawab Malik while terming the allegations of Fadnavis are false, further alleged that the former chief minister with the help of some officers was trying to malign the image of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

Commenting on the alleged phone-tapping of senior IPS officers and politicians by then commissioner State Intelligence, Rashmi Shukla, the NCP spokesperson remarked that the IPS officer was transferred due to what he called illegal phone-tapping.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra ATS which is also probing the Vazegate scandal has seized a Volvo car belonging to one builder Manish Bhatija in the case and who is alleged to be in the good books of Fadnavis. Sources disclosed that Bhatija of Paradise group was given 24 acres of prime land near Navi Mumbai International Airport at throw-away price. The land which was valued at Rs 1,737 crores was allotted to Bhatija at just Rs 3.6 crores.

Somaiya on the other hand has claimed that the cash flow to Vaze pre and post November 28, 2019 have vast differences between them. The flow of cash has astronomically increased in 2020-21. He further demanded a multi-agency probe into the cash transactions of Vaze.

Meanwhile the state Congress leadership has once again gone into a huddle over the Vazegate scandal. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Nana Patole, senior Congress ministers in the MVA government. Sources in the Congress disclosed that the party has expressed grave concern over the maligning of the image of the MVA government in the Vazegate scandal. The state leadership is expected to send its report to the party high command soon.