Maharashtra cabinet minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal received significant legal relief as a special MP-MLA court in Mumbai discharged him and other co-accused in the long-running Kalina Library corruption case. The prosecution, initiated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, centered on the construction of a central library on the Mumbai University campus. With this ruling, the final pending ACB case against Bhujbal concerning his tenure as the Public Works Department minister stands fully resolved.
Origin of the 2015 ACB Investigation
The controversy dates back to allegations concerning the redevelopment and lease of institutional land within Mumbai University. The Anti-Corruption Bureau officially registered this case in 2015. During the period under scrutiny, Bhujbal held the portfolio of Public Works Department minister in the Maharashtra state government, overseeing public construction projects and institutional land infrastructure agreements across the region.
Allegations Concerning Land Lease and Financial Loss
According to the case presented by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, approximately four acres of university land in the Kalina campus were designated for establishing a new central library. Tenders for constructing the library facility across a portion of this land were issued in 2009. However, the investigating agency alleged that the remaining parcel of prime educational land was leased to a private commercial developer for a 99-year term at an nominal rate of merely 1 rupee per square meter. The ACB argued that this arrangement inflicted massive financial losses on the state exchequer while allegedly generating illicit monetary gains and kickbacks for Bhujbal and his associates.
Lack of Evidence Leads to Discharge
Chhagan Bhujbal formally contested the charges before the special court through his legal counsel, advocate Sudarshan Khawase, filing an application seeking total discharge from the criminal proceedings. The defense team systematically disputed every allegation linking the minister to any unlawful financial considerations or profits stemming from the land transaction.
Upon reviewing the case submissions, the special court approved the discharge plea, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish adequate grounds or present tangible evidence demonstrating proceeds of crime. The court highlighted the absence of any established quid pro quo arrangement between Bhujbal, the co-accused, and the developer involved. A detailed copy of the judicial order is expected to be released subsequently.
Conclusion of All Pending ACB Matters
The Kalina Library proceeding was the last remaining corruption matter filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau against Bhujbal from his tenure as Maharashtra's PWD minister. Following this judicial determination, all pending ACB prosecutions originating from that administrative period have concluded in his favor.
