SIT probe in Mithi river scam will expose how ‘remote control' duped Mumbai, says Samant
The minister's remark is perceived as an apparent reference to the Thackeray family which had controlled the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for decades — both Bal and Uddhav Thackeray had claimed that 'remote control of power' was with the party.
'Since year 2006, a total of Rs 331.73 crore have been spent on the Mithi river desilting work. We have currently checked expenditure from year 2019 to 2024. The period from 2006 is still to be probed and it will be done. But we need some more time for the same,' said Samant, replying to the calling attention motion raised by ruling side legislators on the alleged scam.
BJP MLC Rajhans Singh raised the issue in the legislative council, alleging corruption in the work.
'The contractors and the officials are embracing each other for the sake of this project. There is no clarity as to when the project will be completed and what action will be taken against those guilty?' asked Singh.
BJP MLC Pravin Darekar said that the big-wigs involved in the scam should face the action. Another BJP MLC Prasad Lad questioned the unavailability of proof of digging silt worth lakhs of metric tonne from the river.
Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab from the Opposition backed Darekar saying everyone should be probed without bias.
'Probe all, investigate everyone. But do not be lenient on those who come for your mercy. There should be equal justice to all,' said Parab, pointing out that many leaders who headed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) standing committee and passed these proposals are now with the ruling alliance.
Bhai Jagtap of Congress said that the MCOCA should also be slapped on the arrested contractors, engineers of the BMC.
Samant read out the names of the accused saying one Jai Joshi is out on bail while the mastermind Ketan Kadam, who owns night clubs and other properties, is in judicial custody.
'Ketan Kadam has a partner called Santino Morea. We want to assure to the people of Mumbai, no guilty individual will be left out in open. We will ensure that SIT will expose how 'remote control' duped Mumbai,' said Samant.
Morea is a brother of actor Dino Morea who is a friend of Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray.
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