MET trustee urges HC to let SIT probe property misuse by Bhujbal

MUMBAI: Sunil Karve, co-founder trustee of Chhagan Bhujbal’s Mumbai Education Trust (MET) in Bandra, urged the Bombay HC through his counsel to let the court-appointed special probe team investigate allegations of misuse of trust property by the NCP man. Karve had alleged in 2012 that Bhujbal and family had misappropriated trust property to the tune of Rs 170 crore.
Karve’s counsel Rizwan Merchant and Sayaji Nangre said the police had closed the case in January 2014 after a probe on the grounds that no material exists. But they said the SIT set up by the HC last December and confirmed by the Supreme Court could look into the allegations too since the team was formed to look into 11 allegations, including that of land allotment to MET Nashik at nominal rates and the Maharashtra Sadan work contract-kickback issues.
Karve had earlier moved the HC seeking orders for the police to file an FIR against Bhujbal and family for alleged misappropriation of MET trust funds. Bhujbal’s counsel Prasad Dhakephalkar sought time to reply since he said this matter had suddenly come up and he needed time to reply.