According to the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s aff-idavit filed on Tuesday in the Bombay high cou-rt, the agency has given a clean chit after probing allegations of corruption against former Thane municipal commissioner R.A. Rajeev.
A division bench of Justice P.V. Hardas and Justice P.N. Deshmukh was hearing a petition filed by Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik, who had in his petition alleged large-scale corruption in the renovation of town development office on fourth floor of the TMC office building when Mr Rajeev was the commissioner. Mr Sarnaik’s affidavit had alleged that `65 lakh from Maharashtra Chambers of Housing Industry, an association of builders, were used to renovate the office premises against earlier favours shown by Mr Rajeev.
The ACB, in its affidavit filed Tuesday, stated that it had conducted a probe on the basis of two complaints lodged by the petitioner and prima facie did not find any evidence against Mr Rajeev, currently principal secretary, environment.
ACB’s deputy superintendent of police Jayraj Chhapra stated that they had referred the matter to the principal secretary, urban development department, urging him to conduct a high-level probe in this regard if deemed necessary. In addition, if they found that Prevention of Corruption Act had been violated, they should inform the ACB. The HC has asked the petitioner to file a counter reply to ACB’s affidavit by September 17.