Chhagan Bhujbal produced before court, ED says NCP leader not cooperating with interrogators

Mumbai: Senior NCP leader and former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal was produced before Special PMLA Court in Mumbai Sessions Court on Tuesday.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), who arrested Bhujbal, the MLA from Yeola constituency in Nashik district, yesterday night said that he is not cooperating with the interrogators.

The NCP leader was taken into custody after 10 hours of questioning in connection with a probe in a money laundering case registered against him and others.

According to an ED official, the arrest of the former PWD minister was effected under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after he allegedly refused to cooperate during questioning.

The agency has filed two FIRs against Bhujbal, his son and nephew and others under the provisions of PMLA, based on Mumbai Police FIRs, to probe the Delhi-based Maharashtra Sadan construction scam and the Kalina land grabbing case.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters outside the Maharashtra Assembly, BJP MLA Anil Gote said, "I am pleased that Bhujbal has been arrested. When I was implicated in the Telgi scam, NCP workers had removed their shirts and danced in front of my house. Now my cadres are rejoicing." 

Supporters of Bhujbal today blocked the busy Mumbai-Agra National Highway in Nashik district and staged a protest against his arrest even as several commercial establishments remained closed in some areas in the city.

Protesting his arrest, the former Deputy Chief Minister's supporters and NCP activists shouted anti-government slogans and blocked the highway near Ojhar, about 21 kms from here, affecting the movement of vehicular traffic, an officer at rural police control room said.

Later, police rounded up the protestors and cleared the highway, he said.

The party activists also staged a 'rasta-roko' in the busy Central Bus Stand locality of the city. However, police rushed to the spot and cleared the road.

Besides, all commercial establishments and shops were closed in Yeola, Lasalgaon and Nandgaon tehsil towns in the district after a bandh call was given by NCP activists to protest the arrest of their leader.

Both the city and rural police have beefed up security by deploying extra force on highways, near Bhujbal's farm and NCP office in the city, as a precautionary measure.