Shiv Sena leader's driver claims ownership of seized money

Mumbai: In a shocking twist to the case involving seizure of nearly Rs 1 crore from a car in Nalasopara two days ago, the driver of the vehicle has now informed the police and the income tax department that the money seized, belonged to him and neither directly nor indirectly belonged to the Shiv Sena corporator, Dhananjay Gawade. The police is trying to ascertain how the driver came to possess the money, sources revealed.

The Asian Age was informed that the bar owner Sudarshan Sheregar’s driver, during interrogation, informed the police that the money belonged to them and had nothing to do with Mr Gawade. Following the driver’s admission, I-T officials released Mr Gawade after taking his statement on Friday while Mr Sheregar was called in for his statement about the origin of the money on Saturday. Sources confirmed that the businessman and his driver were being investigated at Nalasopara police station.

Earlier this week, on Thursday morning, Mr Gawade was travelling from Nalasopara to Virar in Mr Sheregar’s cab, when the I-T department, along with crime branch, suddenly raided the vehicle and seized from it cash amounting to nearly Rs 1 crore and 11 lakh. Crime branch officials said that the stash included new notes worth Rs 40 lakh while the remaining money was in old demonetised currency. Soon after, Mr Gawade was detained for questioning.

Upon his release, Mr Gawade, who is house leader of Sena in Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC), issued a statement and said, “I hope that after finding the origin of this money, the I-T department will take proper action against the guilty.”

When contacted, investigating officer, P. Lange of Nalasopara police station refused to comment saying that investigations were still underway.