Inquiry against minister will take minimum two months

Mumbai: The lokayukta’s probe into the role of housing minister Prakash Mehta in the MP mill compound slum rehabilitation authority (SRA) project case will take at least two months for completion as Mr Mehta wants to cross-examine four senior officials of the housing department and the SRA. Lokayukta M.L. Tahliani will decide on CM Devendra Fadnavis’ deposition in the case at a later stage, said senior officials.

Mr Fadnavis had declared an inquiry into Mr Mehta’s role on August 12, 2017, following uproar over the MP mill compound SRA project at Tardeo. Mr Mehta had allegedly asked for some steps to be taken which could have benefitted the developer. The lokayukta initiated an inquiry and after scouring all documents, recorded evidence in the form of deposition of officials.

However, Mr Mehta asked that these senior officials of the housing department and the SRA department, including additional chief secretary Sanjay Kumar, among others, be cross-examined.

SRA chief Deepak Kapoor, too, may depose before the lokayukta. Only after deposition of all witnesses will the lokayukta decide about Mr Fadnavis’ deposition, if necessary, said senior officials. As the government has not fixed any time limit for the inquiry, it will continue for a minimum of two months, officials clarified.

Mr Fadnavis had ordered an inquiry against Mr Mehta and industries minister Subhash Desai on the same day. Ex-ACS Bakshi submitted the report and CM gave a clean chit to Mr Desai.