Mumbai: The Income Tax Department has conducted raids on the close aides of Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray and Transport Minister Anil Parab. On Tuesday morning, the IT Department carried out search operations at the residences of Rahul Kanal, Shiv Sena member Sadanand Kadam, and deputy regional transport officer Bajrang Kharmate. The operation was carried out in 12 locations linked to the three in Mumbai and Pune.
Rahul Kanal is a close friend of Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray, Sadanand Kadam is the brother of Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam and business partner of Shiv Sena leader and transport minister Anil Parab. Bajrang Kharmate is also said to be close to Anil Parab.
Bajrang was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate, amid a case linked with the former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh. Bajrang’s statement was recorded by the ED in connection with the probe into the transfer posting issue in Maharashtra’s home and transport departments.
Speaking about the raids conducted on Tuesday, Aaditya Thackeray was quoted by ANI news agency as saying, “Central agencies have been misused in the past too – it happened in Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and now it’s happening in Maharashtra too. Central agencies have in a way become publicity machinery of BJP itself. Maharashtra will not bow down.”
In February 2022, the IT department had raided Shiv Sena leader and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation standing committee chairman Yeshwant Jadhav, apart from premises linked to his close aides and various BMC contractors. This includes Bimal Agarwal, Madani, Landmark Infrastructure, Bipin Jain, and others. During its search, the Income Tax department found evidence of immovable properties worth over Rs 130 crore in the name of Yeshwant Jadhav and his family members and aides.
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