# Mumbai Court Discharges Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal in Kalina Library Case > A special Mumbai court has cleared Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal in the Kalina Library graft case, ending all pending ACB proceedings against him. **Type:** article · **Category:** Maharashtra · **Published:** 2026-09-24 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/maharashtra/munbai-ki-adalata-ne-chhagan-bhujbal-ko-kalina-laibreri-bhrashtachara-mamale-se-kiya-aropamukta-37899 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Chhagan Bhujbal, Kalina Library, Mumbai University, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Maharashtra Politics, NCP, PWD 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. ## What this means for you This judicial discharge delivers an immediate boost to minister Chhagan Bhujbal's political standing across Maharashtra. - **In Maharashtra:** The dismissal of the final corruption case significantly strengthens Bhujbal's standing within state politics and the ruling coalition. His party and supporters now have judicial vindication against long-standing corruption accusations raised by political opponents. - **Across Mumbai:** The legal shadow hanging over the Mumbai University Kalina campus land allocation has effectively cleared after years of court proceedings. This resolution provides administrative clarity surrounding the institutional land parcels designated for public infrastructure. - **Administrative Precedent:** The decision reinforces that criminal charges of corruption and misuse of office require concrete proof of quid pro quo and traceable proceeds of crime. Policy decisions without documented unlawful financial transactions cannot sustain graft trials. - **Legal Finality:** With the closure of the final pending ACB case from his tenure as PWD minister, Bhujbal is now freed from prolonged trial obligations. This clears his calendar and legal resources to focus completely on administrative governance. ## Why this happened The legal dispute originated from the allotment and leasing of prime university land in Mumbai for a public library project. - **Genesis of the Case:** In 2009, while Chhagan Bhujbal was Maharashtra's PWD minister, tenders were issued to construct a central library on four acres of Mumbai University's Kalina land. The ACB alleged that the remaining parcel was improperly leased to a private developer for 99 years at an nominal rate of 1 rupee per square meter. - **Prosecution Claims:** The Anti-Corruption Bureau filed a formal case in 2015, alleging that the lease caused substantial revenue loss to the state exchequer and served as a vehicle for illicit kickbacks to Bhujbal and his associates. - **Judicial Findings:** The special court determined that the investigators failed to produce tangible evidence establishing any proceeds of crime or an illegal quid pro quo arrangement between Bhujbal and the private entity, prompting the complete discharge of all accused. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. In which case was Chhagan Bhujbal discharged by the special court? He was discharged in the 2015 Anti-Corruption Bureau case concerning the construction of a central library on Mumbai University's Kalina campus. ### 2. What were the primary allegations in the Kalina Library controversy? The ACB alleged that university land was improperly leased to a private developer for 99 years at 1 rupee per square meter, causing heavy losses to the state. ### 3. Why did the court clear Bhujbal of all charges? The special court concluded that the prosecution failed to produce concrete evidence of proceeds of crime or any illicit quid pro quo arrangement. ### 4. Are there any remaining ACB cases against Bhujbal from his tenure as PWD minister? No, this ruling closed the final pending ACB case filed against him regarding his tenure as Maharashtra's PWD minister. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._