Latest news with #Khabad
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Gujarat Confidential: Ministers' absence
Minister of State for Panchayat and Agriculture Bachubhai Khabad has been a talking point in the corridors of the Secretariat after the arrests of his two sons in alleged scams related to the MGNREGA scheme in Dahod district, with Khabad having been missing from the meeting of the state cabinet for two occasions now. However, sources said that in the last cabinet meeting held on May 28, four other ministers were also not present for various reasons. The four ministers, sources added, were Parshottam Solanki, Harsh Sanghavi, Rushikesh Patel and Kubder Dindor. Posters still up 'Operation Sindoor' banners and posters in black and red put up in Bhuj at major locations, roads, and roundabouts remain even a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public event held in the city on May 26. The Prime Minister had also taken out a rally less than a kilometre away. The banners and posters congratulate and laud the bravery of the Indian Armed Forces. Kutch Collector Anand Patel told this paper that during the 'Operation Sindoor', people in Bhuj in Kutch district were among those who actively responded to calls for blackouts and other acts.
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Indian Express
MGNREGA ‘scam': Dahod court dismisses police revision plea against bail to Khabad's sons
The Dahod sessions court, on Thursday, dismissed the plea of the district police seeking stay on the regular bail granted on Wednesday to two sons of Gujarat Minister Bachubhai Khabad — Balvantsinh and Kiran — arrested in an alleged scam of Rs 71 crore in the works carried out under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Apart from a bail bond of Rs 50,000 each, the Khabad brothers have also been barred from staying in Dahod district during the course of the investigations. The Dahod court rejected the plea of the district police challenging the bail order of Wednesday, following which, the process for the release of Khabad brothers from judicial custody started, lawyers of the Khabads told The Indian Express. Among the bail conditions, the court has directed Balvantsinh and Kiran Khabad to submit a bond of Rs 50,000 each, as well as prohibition from entering Dahod district until the investigation in the case is completed. They have, however, been asked to appear before the investigating officer whenever required. Advocate AR Chauhan, representing the Khabad brothers, told The Indian Express that the court had directed the brothers to cooperate in the further investigations. 'The Sessions court has upheld the regular bail granted to Balvantsinh and Kiran Khabad on Wednesday… The police application was rejected. They will comply with the conditions.' On Wednesday, a court granted Balvantsinh and Kiran Khabad regular bail in the case of the alleged MGNREGA scam unearthed in the villages of Devgarh Baria and Dhanpur district. Chauhan had argued on the grounds that the firms of Balvantsinh and Kiran were involved in supplying material and did not have a contract to complete the work on the ground. Their liability cannot be made out in the case of non-completion of MGNREGA projects as they only supplied the material and it was not their task to see if the material was used for completing the roads. Senior officials of Dahod police remained unavailable for comment on Thursday. A total of 14 persons have been arrested in the alleged scam so far.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Held in MGNREGA ‘scam', sons of Gujarat minister Khabad granted bail but won't get to walk out of jail for now
A court in Dahod district on Wednesday granted conditional bail to two sons of Gujarat Minister Bachubhai Khabad — Balvantsinh and Kiran — who were arrested in an alleged scam of Rs 71 crore, stemming from works carried out under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The state government has decided to appeal against the bail order on Thursday, top officials of Dahod district administration confirmed. The Khabad brothers, meanwhile, will continue to remain in judicial custody until the hearing of the appeal on Thursday, they added on condition of anonymity. The court granted Balvantsinh and Kiran regular bail in the case of the alleged MGNREGA scam unearthed in the villages of Devgarh Baria and Dhanpur district. Advocate A R Chauhan, representing the Khabad brothers, told The Indian Express that the court had granted regular bail on a surety of Rs 50,000 and with condition to cooperate in further investigation. While Balvantsinh was arrested on May 17, Kiran was held on May 19. Chauhan said, 'We argued on the grounds that the firms (of Balvantsinh and Kiran) were involved in supplying material and did not have a contract to complete the work on the ground. Their liability cannot be made out in the case of non-completion of MGNREGA projects as they only supplied the material, and it was not their job to see if the material was used for completing the roads or not. The court considered the argument and also the fact that they had been arrested and subjected to questioning during the police remand.' On the state government preparing to challenge the bail order, an official said, 'We have been granted a day's time to challenge the bail order. We will seek a stay on the bail order on Thursday.' Meanwhile, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) termed the 'sidelining' of Khabad as an 'eyewash' by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Dr Manish Doshi, GPCC Spokesperson, told this newspaper, 'Sidelining Khabad from two events is a face-saving exercise by the BJP… Whenever someone is caught in the middle of party-backed corruption, they indulge in a hogwash by sidelining the person concerned for a brief period. The BJP has an absolute majority. What is stopping them from demanding Khabad's resignation or removing him from the cabinet? If they are indeed embarrassed, they should have him resign.' Notably, Khabad was conspicuous by his absence during an event in Dahod on Monday, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 9000 HP Locomotive Rolling Stock Workshop, built by the Ministry of Railways, besides other development projects in the state. Doshi further said, 'This (MGNREGA issue) is only one case in Dahod… in most districts, such scams abound and investigations have not taken place in many of them. If other cases are also investigated, Khabad's links would be found there, too. It is the BJP's policy to promote people who indulge in corruption…'
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Gujarat BJP minister kept out of PM Modi's events, noose tightens after sons' arrest
As the who's who of the Gujarat government lined up alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his two-day visit to Vadodara and Dahod ending Tuesday, Minister of State Bachubhai Khabad was conspicuous by his absence. While this has heightened the buzz about the imminent exit of Khabad, whose two sons have been arrested in an alleged MNREGS scam, from the Bhupendra Patel Cabinet, this won't be without a fight. Sources said the decision not to involve Khabad, an MLA from Devgadh Baria, in Modi's visit was taken last week at a series of closed-door meetings held by Dahod district Guardian Minister Kuber Dindor, seen to be Khabad's close aide. 'After the arrests (of Khabad's sons), there was no way Modi would have taken kindly to his presence on stage. It is only natural that he had to stay away. Although he protested, it was the party's as well as the government's decision,' a BJP state executive member, who attended the Dahod event, said. With the pressure mounting for his ouster, Khabad also gave Wednesday's Cabinet meeting a miss. Khabad's sons Balvantsinh and Kiran were arrested on May 17 and 19 respectively over their alleged involvement in a Rs 71 crore MGNREGS scam, pertaining to irregularities in payments for incomplete projects under the scheme. In two villages in Devgadh Baria taluka and one in Dhanpur taluka, several metres of road construction were allegedly left incomplete, but payments were still made to 'unauthorised agencies' using forged completion certificates, between April 2021 and December 2024. Khabad posted two videos last week defending his sons and claiming that they had 'done no wrong', and denied any plans to step down. Instead, he cited the 'transparent' works undertaken by the departments he helmed. The leader said Khabad should have waited to see the party's reaction, 'at least till the probe was completed'. 'His statement on preparing for Modi's visit and social media posts on inspecting the venues was unwarranted,' the leader said. Last week, after skipping the Cabinet meeting, Khabad said he had sent a 'report of absence' to CM Patel explaining that he was 'busy arranging numbers' for the PM's visit to Dahod. BJP leaders said that his exclusion from Modi's events was a clear signal of what lies ahead for Khabad, though he has reportedly turned down advice to step down. 'Now, it is likely that a Cabinet reshuffle will take place where Khabad and a couple of ministers, who have embarrassed the party, will be shown the door. Khabad will also be asked to quit as the district in-charge of Mahisagar,' a party leader said. Another leader said Khabad's stubbornness has also resulted in friction between party heavyweights like Dindor and the Bhabhor brothers – Lok Sabha MP Jaswantsinh Bhabhor and Limkheda MLA Shailesh Bhabhor – who were seen interacting with the PM during his Gujarat events. Admitting that the buzz about an alleged scam had been around for months, with the Congress also raising it on the floor of the Assembly, a BJP leader said the real jolt for the party was the arrest of Khabad's sons. 'Balvantsinh and Kiran filing anticipatory bail applications even when they were not directly named in the FIR further embarrassed the government… The alleged irregularities came to light during a central inspection of the Rural Development Authority of MGNREGA projects following which more villages from the region have come forward to make similar claims. The damage could have been contained if the duo had not taken impulsive actions,' a BJP leader said. Khabad has seemingly been stung more by the arrest of his younger son Kiran, who he was reportedly grooming to be his political heir. 'Kiran cannot be seen in isolation as he manages his father's affairs in his constituency. Only if the probe exonerates the sons, will Khabad have a substantial ground to defend himself,' a local BJP leader said.
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Ahmedabad Diary: Calls for Khabad to quit grow amid NREGA scam
Calls for Khabad to quit grow amid NREGA scam The arrest of Gujarat minister Bhachubhai Khabad's two sons in a Rs 75-crore MGNREGA scam has kicked up a political storm in the state. The scandal has put the saffron party-led government in the firing line of the Congress. As news of the arrest broke out, leaders of the grand old party were quick to question PM Narendra Modi's hardline anti-corruption stance and his pledge of 'Na khaunga, na khane dunga'. They also rued how people in power have been brazenly siphoning off funds meant for public welfare. Ahead of the PM's Gujarat visit, the Congress party has sought time for an audience with Modi to discuss the matter. Congress flags inordinate delay in panchayat polls The Congress has sharply criticised the BJP-led Gujarat government and State Election Commission for delaying elections in over 5,400 panchayats, describing it as a direct attack on democracy. Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi has accused the state government of using the 'One Nation, One Election' narrative to stall local polls, leaving rural areas without elected representatives for three years. Leaders of the grand old party say the inordinate delay violates constitutional norms, as elections are supposed to be held within six months of the end of a panchayat's term. He also alleged corruption in MGNREGA and Nal Se Jal schemes. SC MLA from Saurashtra to be Gujarat BJP chief? For months, the Gujarat BJP has struggled to appoint a new state president, entangled in caste equations and ideological friction. According to party insiders, the RSS is firm on choosing a loyalist, while the BJP leadership seeks a candidate with consensus. Amid internal pressure from party bigwigs like Amit Shah, Anandiben Patel, and CR Patil, an SC MLA from Saurashtra has emerged as the frontrunner. His squeaky clean image and deep organisational connect have bolstered his chances. Sources indicate an announcement in this regard may be made within 72 hours, possibly reshaping the saffron party's caste strategy in Gujarat. Dilip Singh Kshatriya Our correspondent in Gujarat dilipsingh@
