MUMBAI: The state government has asked the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) for reports on raids conducted on properties owned by information commissioner, Aurangabad division, DB Deshpande in connection with his alleged involvement in the Maharashtra Sadan scam.
The government is expected to initiate the process of his suspension after approval from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Though the information commissioners are appointed by the governor on recommendation of the government, they are suspended or dismissed after Supreme Court’s (SC) approval.
The general administration department (GAD) is expected to take action based on the ACB report. “We are expecting the report soon. We will apprise the chief minister about it and action will be taken,” said PS Meena, additional chief secretary, GAD.
If the CM is convinced about suspending the tainted officer, the government may seek SC’s approval after a formal nod from the governor. “Former information commissioner Ramanand Tiwari was dismissed only after an approval from the SC as per the provision in section 17 of the RTI Act. The decision of his dismissal was taken by the state cabinet,” said an officer, on the condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, the ACB probe revealed that gold worth Rs40.63 lakh was recovered from Despande’s locker, while Arun Devdhar, the then superintending engineer has flats in Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad.
The ACB is conducting searches at the residences and offices of nine accused across the state in the scam. Former public works department (PWD) minister Chhagan Bhujbal, his son Pankaj, nephew Sameer and 14 others have been booked in the case.
The ACB gathered detailed information on the properties of the nine officials under scanner.
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