Latest news with #Kadam
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Sessions court denies bail to Ketan Kadam in Mithi River desilting contract scam, says he is 'key accused'
Mumbai: The sessions court in the city denied bail to Ketan Kadam, an alleged middleman involved in the Rs 65 crore Mithi River desilting contract scam. The court observed that, prima facie, he played a crucial role in the conspiracy, causing wrongful loss to the civic body. On July 11, Additional Sessions Judge N G Shukla rejected Kadam's bail plea, and on Tuesday, in the reasoned order, observed that the probe was still ongoing. "After considering the material placed on record, it appears that the role of the applicant is crucial in setting the terms and conditions of the contract for desilting work since prior to the entering of Virgo in the MOU for the purchase of machines and entering into an agreement for hire with the contractors," the order said. The prosecutor opposing his bail stated that the BMC had given contracts for desilting the Mithi River at different sites in Mumbai to various companies by inviting tenders from 2019 to 2024. The prosecution's case was that Kadam, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Virgo Specialties Pvt Ltd, allegedly conspired with BMC officials and contractors to meddle with tender conditions, forcing contractors to hire machines from his firm. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Claiming he had no role as alleged, Kadam sought bail also on parity, citing co-accused who were released. The court observed that statements from several witnesses, including high-ranking BMC officers, are yet to be recorded in the case. The court perused the material on record and observed that "the applicant (Kadam) personally gained various amounts from the contractors in the bank account of his shell company… This material prima facie shows that the applicant is the key accused in the conspiracy of causing wrongful loss to BMC." The case, being investigated by EOW, is against 13 persons.
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Mithi river desilting ‘scam': Court says no justification of ‘Rs 2.41 crore as CEO salary', rejects accused's bail plea
In a detailed order rejecting the bail plea of the main accused in the Mithi river desilting 'scam' case, a special court has considered that there was no document to show that the accused was given Rs 2.41 crore as salary as CEO to explain the transfer of money to his personal account. The court had on July 11 rejected bail to Ketan Kadam, the CEO of firm Virgo Specialities. The Mumbai Police had claimed that Kadam entered into a contract with a company — Maptrop Technical Services — which supplied machines in a manner which compelled contractors carrying out desilting of the river to hire the machines at an inflated rate, causing wrongful loss to the civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). 'It appears from statement of Bhushan Salunke and ledger accounts statement of M/s. Virgo that the said company had transferred Rs 6 crores for purchase of the machines to MAPTROP Ltd. and out of that, Rs.2,41,20,000/- has been transferred in the personal account of the applicant (Kadam). Even though the Advocate for the applicant submitted that said amount is salary of the applicant as CEO, however there is no document for such justification for receiving such huge salary. Even there is no document showing that, how much monthly salary was agreed to be given by Virgo to the applicant,' special judge N G Shukla said in the order, which was made available on Tuesday. The case against Kadam and others including BMC officials is that while tenders were issued for desilting of the Mithi river from 2019 to 2024, conditions were inserted in the terms of agreement to compel contractors to hire machines from the company linked to Kadam. He denied this, claiming that contractors were free to purchase machines from other companies as per the tender documents. One of the allegations against Kadam is that he incurred expenses of flight tickets and lodging of three BMC officials from his bank account for visits to Delhi for demonstration of the machines, as was submitted by additional public prosecutor Chaitrali Panshikar. 'If applicant would have acted merely as an employee, he had no reason to spent money from his personal account on flight tickets and hotel expenses of BMC officers prior to execution of tripartite agreement (MOU) and Agreement of Hire with the contractors. This clearly shows involvement of applicant as a conspirator in setting terms and conditions of the tenders in a manner of compelling the contractors to hire the machines from Virgo. There was preplan of applicant to purchase machines by setting the terms of tenders, therefore, he has incurred said expenses,' the court said, referring to the agreement which said that the supplier can only rent machines from Virgo. Kadam had referred to terms and conditions, claiming no such compulsion to hire was imposed. The court also said that prima facie, there is proof that Kadam had personally gained from the contractors through shell companies, calling him the key person in the conspiracy who acted as intermediary with the BMC. 'Investigation is still in progress and statements of number of the witnesses, including the high ranking BMC officers, are yet to be recorded. Considering influencing personality of applicant, if released on bail, he may influence witnesses and create hurdle in investigation,' the court said. The Enforcement Directorate has also this week sought permission to record Kadam's statement in jail in connection with its own probe into the case.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bank fraud: Min orders high-level probe into role of senior cop ‘cleared earlier'
Mumbai: Junior home minister Yogesh Kadam on Monday said an inquiry by either a DCP-level officer or a senior official from Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), if necessary, will be ordered into allegations of bribery made by legislators against a senior police officer in a case involving misappropriation of Rs 1.8 crore from North Kanara Gaud Saraswat Cooperative Bank. MLC Prasad Lad brought the matter to the attention of the legislative council through a calling attention motion. The council's deputy chairperson, Neelam Gorhe, ordered the cooperation department to also conduct a thorough probe into bank officials' roles. "It was revealed that a large-scale misappropriation of funds took place through diversion of crores of rupees from the frozen account of UB Engineering Company into various other accounts. An official complaint has been filed with the economic offences wing against the bank's chairman, vice-chairman, board of directors and other officials. Following the complaint, the chairman and the vice-chairman reportedly bribed a senior police inspector to prevent any action against them," Lad said. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Both Lad and MLC Pravin Darekar identified the police officer as Deepak Dalvi and demanded stringent action against him. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Warren Buffett Says These 5 Books Are a Must-Read for 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo by Taboola by Taboola Darekar demanded his suspension. Dalvi was unavailable for comment. Kadam said an inquiry was earlier conducted against the officer, which found no evidence linking him to monetary gains in the fraud. "In fact, the fraud was by bank officials who have been penalised by RBI and have already paid Rs 50 lakh as fine. In the case of the police officer, we came to know that he had taken two bank loans and was negligent in the investigation, for which an inquiry was conducted. But we couldn't find any proof of him being involved in corruption," he said. But after repeated demands from MLCs, Kadam announced that a high-level inquiry would be ordered to ascertain if Dalvi or any other police officer was involved in the case. Gorhe said that the bank officials' role should also be probed by the state cooperation department. Kadam said a forensic audit of the bank has been conducted, adding that if any bank official is found guilty, s/he will face stringent punishment.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
IAF expresses concerns, PMC intensifies garbage collection near Pune airport and Air Force Station
1 2 3 Pune: The civic body has intensified its garbage collection efforts around the city airport following concerns raised by the Air Force Station Pune, which is operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The issue of garbage collection and disposal became a flashpoint at Pune airport after two incidents involving stray dogs on the runway disrupted civil flight operations earlier this year. Bird strikes also pose operational challenges for IAF, which operates two squadrons of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft at the station. The presence of this urban wildlife is encouraged by uncollected waste, it had been pointed out. IAF officials communicated several issues regarding this situation to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and recommended immediate and long-term measures to address the concerns through a formal letter. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune The missive indicated that the accumulation of garbage and overall unclean surroundings near Pune Air Force Station raised concerns for both civil and military flights in the area. A senior IAF officer emphasised the need for prompt action to ensure smooth flying operations, especially considering the increasing volume of civil flights at Pune airport. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? Memory Health Learn More Undo "Generally, IAF schedules its training flights in mornings during the week, and any incidents, such as bird strikes, could disrupt the entire training schedule. Although IAF has a trained bird control team, challenges still arise at times. So, maintaining a clean environment is the paramount factor for air operations," the officer told TOI. In response, PMC has developed a comprehensive plan, increasing garbage collection from once to thrice a day around the Air Force Station, said Sandeep Kadam, head of the PMC's solid waste management department. "We have also assigned a team to collect garbage at night and maintain daily records of their activities. A nodal officer was designated to oversee the entire operation. Civic teams are now collecting garbage within a 4km radius of the airport," Kadam told TOI. Civic officials claimed that they have adopted a multi-pronged strategy to tackle this issue. "We have roped in a dedicated team of 15 workers to lift garbage daily in three shifts. They clean and sweep the areas in a 4km radius. Private plot owners here have also been told to clean their areas to avoid a penalty," said a PMC official. Localities like Kalwadi vasti, Lohegaon gaothan, Forest Park, and others host hundreds of houses. "Daily collection of dry and wet garbage is about two tonne. It is a massive exercise as our personnel have to collect it from different locations. We have also urged citizens not to throw trash in open areas and dispose of it at designated places only," said Dhanshree Jagdale, divisional sanitary inspector of Nagar Road ward office. Jagdale claimed that they work in tandem with airport authorities and the Air Force Station. "Coordinated efforts are the need of the hour to address this issue completely. We have also increased vehicles for garbage collection and share details daily with IAF and the airport authority. We are working on the recommendations suggested by IAF," she said. Meanwhile, PMC's veterinary department head Sarika Funde told TOI that they have started a sterilisation and vaccination drive for stray dogs in the area over last ten days. "We have also asked volunteers to feed dogs 200m away from the airport. Earlier, we would send our dog-catching vehicle only on Saturday. Now, we send it on Wednesday as well. As per our observation, there are about 70 stray dogs in and around the airport," she said. Pune: The civic body has intensified its garbage collection efforts around the city airport following concerns raised by the Air Force Station Pune, which is operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The issue of garbage collection and disposal became a flashpoint at Pune airport after two incidents involving stray dogs on the runway disrupted civil flight operations earlier this year. Bird strikes also pose operational challenges for IAF, which operates two squadrons of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft at the station. The presence of this urban wildlife is encouraged by uncollected waste, it had been pointed out. IAF officials communicated several issues regarding this situation to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and recommended immediate and long-term measures to address the concerns through a formal letter. The missive indicated that the accumulation of garbage and overall unclean surroundings near Pune Air Force Station raised concerns for both civil and military flights in the area. A senior IAF officer emphasised the need for prompt action to ensure smooth flying operations, especially considering the increasing volume of civil flights at Pune airport. "Generally, IAF schedules its training flights in mornings during the week, and any incidents, such as bird strikes, could disrupt the entire training schedule. Although IAF has a trained bird control team, challenges still arise at times. So, maintaining a clean environment is the paramount factor for air operations," the officer told TOI. In response, PMC has developed a comprehensive plan, increasing garbage collection from once to thrice a day around the Air Force Station, said Sandeep Kadam, head of the PMC's solid waste management department. "We have also assigned a team to collect garbage at night and maintain daily records of their activities. A nodal officer was designated to oversee the entire operation. Civic teams are now collecting garbage within a 4km radius of the airport," Kadam told TOI. Civic officials claimed that they have adopted a multi-pronged strategy to tackle this issue. "We have roped in a dedicated team of 15 workers to lift garbage daily in three shifts. They clean and sweep the areas in a 4km radius. Private plot owners here have also been told to clean their areas to avoid a penalty," said a PMC official. Localities like Kalwadi vasti, Lohegaon gaothan, Forest Park, and others host hundreds of houses. "Daily collection of dry and wet garbage is about two tonne. It is a massive exercise as our personnel have to collect it from different locations. We have also urged citizens not to throw trash in open areas and dispose of it at designated places only," said Dhanshree Jagdale, divisional sanitary inspector of Nagar Road ward office. Jagdale claimed that they work in tandem with airport authorities and the Air Force Station. "Coordinated efforts are the need of the hour to address this issue completely. We have also increased vehicles for garbage collection and share details daily with IAF and the airport authority. We are working on the recommendations suggested by IAF," she said. Meanwhile, PMC's veterinary department head Sarika Funde told TOI that they have started a sterilisation and vaccination drive for stray dogs in the area over last ten days. "We have also asked volunteers to feed dogs 200m away from the airport. Earlier, we would send our dog-catching vehicle only on Saturday. Now, we send it on Wednesday as well. As per our observation, there are about 70 stray dogs in and around the airport," she said.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Open to making amendments if the law is misused: Minister Yogesh Kadam on the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill
The Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Bill, which seeks 'to provide for effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of left wing extremist organisations', was recently passed by both the Maharashtra Assembly and the Legislative Council through a voice vote. The Bill has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition over 'vague definitions' and 'potential misuse'. In an interview with The Indian Express, Yogesh Kadam, Minister of State (MoS) for Home, who tabled the Bill in the Legislative Council, defended its provisions and addressed concerns around its implementation. Excerpts from the interview: Q. The Opposition alleges this law is aimed at stifling protest and dissent. How do you respond? Yogesh Kadam: That is not the intention at all. The Bill clearly targets frontal organisations linked to Maoist groups. The concern raised is – 'what if a labour union protests and something unlawful happens? Will they be prosecuted under this Act?' The answer is no. A protester raising a voice for a cause will not be affected. The Bill defines 'unlawful activity' specifically – it refers to actions carried out by or in support of Maoist-linked organisations by anyone who is actively involved or directly supports them. Q. But the Opposition argues that terms like 'illegal activity', 'left wing', 'extremism', or 'support' are vague and can be misused. Kadam: Maoists have evolved. Their presence is no longer confined to jungles. Urban Naxals work under various covers – students, teachers, farmers, NGO workers. Their methods are deceptive and difficult to pin down. That's why the definitions in the Bill reflect this broad and changing modus operandi. These terms haven't been randomly inserted – they are based on past patterns and intelligence inputs. Urban Naxals operate covertly. We have seen this with Delhi University's former professor G N Saibaba, and others like Basava Raju, a labour leader later found with Maoists in the forest. Their first tool is agitation – creating unrest to destabilise elected governments. But not all agitations are to suspected. For example, if Konkan farmers protest against a mining project, that's their right. What matters is intent. This Act is about intent. If someone is protesting for their livelihood or rights, that's their constitutional right. But if an organisation uses that protest as a cover for Maoist activity, this law will come into play. Q: The state government has said 64 urban Naxal-linked organisations are active in Maharashtra. Are they identified already? Kadam: Yes, they have been identified, and once the Act is notified and enforced, action will be initiated as per the provisions. Q: The government claims that the MSPS Bill will be used only against organisations, but the legislation has provisions to prosecute individuals; isn't this a contradiction? Kadam: If someone is directly supporting a banned Maoist-linked group – say by funding it or helping its operations, or is a member of the organisation, then that individual can be prosecuted. But only when clear, proven links are established. The focus remains on direct involvement… Remember, organisations are made up of individuals. If someone is knowingly aiding a banned Maoist group, the law will apply. But that involvement must be proven with evidence. Q: How will the government distinguish between a genuine protest and one with Maoist involvement? Kadam: This Bill will not be invoked if there is just a protest. It comes into effect only if there is a link to an organisation identified as Maoist-aligned. If a protest involves such links, we will act – but with due process. The three-member advisory board – comprising a retired district judge, a serving or retired high court judge, and a public prosecutor – will examine all evidence before any organisation is banned or any individual prosecuted. The board will scrutinise the evidence, verify the organisation's link to Maoist activity, and only then can a ban or prosecution proceed. Evidence is key. Q: But the Bill allows non-bailable offences and arrest without warrant. Isn't that a recipe for misuse? What safeguards are in place to prevent misuse by the police? Kadam: The police can't arbitrarily act under this law. The authority to ban an organisation lies with the three-member advisory board. No organisation or individual can be targeted without evidence, and that evidence will have to stand in court. There is absolutely no scope for arbitrary arrest. The provisions come into force only after an organisation is officially banned. And before a ban is imposed, the board must approve it based on submitted evidence. Q: What if misuse does happen – will the government consider amending the law? Kadam: Of course. Every law evolves and can be amended. Even the Right To Information (RTI) Act has seen amendments. If, after enforcement, we see any genuine misuse or receive constructive suggestions, we are open to making changes through amendments to its provisions. In fact, if needed, we can amend this law in this very session itself. There's always scope for revision if there is a good suggestion. We are not rigid. Q: Can you explain the scope and function of the three-member advisory board? Kadam: Once the government identifies an organisation and submits evidence of its Maoist links, this board will examine all the material. We have to submit documentary proof, intelligence reports, and establish links to Maoist activity. The organisation in question can also present its defence. If the board is not convinced, the ban won't go through. That's our safeguard against arbitrary action. It's a transparent process. Q: The Opposition has demanded that the Opposition leader be added to this board for checks and balances. Why not? Kadam: There are no politicians on the board – neither from the ruling side nor the Opposition. It consists only of legal professionals – judges and lawyers – to ensure neutrality. In fact, other states that have similar Acts – like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Telangana – don't even have such a board. They ban organisations outright. Q. Why does the Bill only cover left-wing extremism? Aren't right-wing extremist organisations also active in Maharashtra? Kadam: Left-wing extremism refers specifically to Maoist and Naxal movements that openly reject the Indian Constitution and operate with their own parallel ideology and constitution. This term was coined by the United Progressive Alliance government in 2007. They reject India's Constitution entirely and aim to overthrow the state. Right-wing extremism, if it involves violence or illegal acts, is already covered under other stringent laws like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Action has been taken in cases of right-wing violence, be it in the Malegaon bomb blasts case or other cases. But unlike Maoists, right-wing groups do not reject India's Constitution or seek its overthrow. Q: Journalists meet everyone. Could they be implicated for simply interviewing or covering a news story? Kadam: Absolutely not. Meeting someone for information or interviews does not qualify as involvement. The law only applies to those actively helping Maoist organisations – whether by spying, passing information, or offering logistical support. No journalist, politician, or citizen will be targeted unfairly. That's what the advisory board safeguards against. But if someone – whether journalist, politician, or citizen – deliberately helps a banned organisation, provides internal information, or aids operations, then that's a different matter. The law targets active support, not association or conversation.
