TOI’s queries which Gadkari didn’t answer

NAGPUR: An Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader has alleged that he has found some proof of wrongdoing by former BJP national president Nitin Gadkari who is contesting for the Lok Sabha from Nagpur.Ajit Sawant, a Congress rebel and now an AAP leader from Mumbai, has alleged Gadkari accepted Rs 25 lakh from Reatox Builders and Developers Private Limited, the developers of First City Township project in Mihan and Rs 31.45 lakh from Dattatraya Mhaiskar’s Ideal Road Builders (IRB) for “favours granted”.The money was then routed to Purti Power and Sugar Limited through Update Mercantile Private Limited, one of the 16 shell companies connected to Gadkari. The transactions took place when Gadkari was the chairman of Purti Group. Sawant said Reatox Builders also gave a donation of Rs 50 lakh to the BJP in 2009-10.“Further, Congress and NCP leaders are protecting and giving ‘pro-development’ certificate to Gadkari despite all these corrupt practices,” said Sawant, adding they do not have any evidence against the Congress nominee from city Vilas Muttemwar.A few days ago, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had said Gadkari and Muttemwar had connections with Reatox, an allegation that AAP withdrew in a press conference on Wednesday.“Political leaders like Gadkari are engaged in massive money laundering and routing black money into their business establishments through shell companies. I had earlier exposed about unaccounted money coming into Gadkari’s Purti company, in October 2012. Close associated and family members were directors in the shell companies,” Sawant said.“Now, I have all documents to prove Gadkari’s link with Reatox and IRB. Gadkari should withdraw from the elections,” he said.Gadkari denied the allegations. “Ajit Sawant has been making these allegations since last year and there is nothing new in it. Purti group is cooperating with all authorities concerned with the developments and will continue to do so. Sawant’s allegations seem to clearly politically motivated,” said Gadkari who did not respond to TOI’s specific questions emailed to him.Sawant said the IT department did not do a proper investigation of Gadkari’s affairs even though all documents of the “misdoings” were available with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). “The CBI too remained silent by not investigating into money laundering,” he said.1. Congress MP Vilas Muttemwar has denied that he has anything to do with Reatox and also that he is not together with you in this venture as claimed by Arvind Kejriwal recently. Why haven't you issued any denial?2. Documents obtained from Ministry of Corporate Affairs about Update Mercantile revealed that unsecured loan of Rs 25 lakh was taken from Reatox Builders, Rs 31.45 lakh from IRB and Rs 30 lakh from Awani Electricals. An unsecured loan of Rs 20 lakh was taken from Nitin Gadkari himself. Later, a major chunk of the money was transferred to Purti Sugar and shown as an investment. In 2007 when the transactions were done, Update Mercantile Jaykumar Varma, Pahade, Panse, Zade and others who are all linked to Purti and Gadkari.3. Why did Reatox, IRB, Awani Electricals lend money to Gadkari and his company Purti? Were any special favours granted to these companies?4. Is it a coincidence that the year Reatox lent money — 2006-07 — was the same in which it got contract to build First City in Mihan?5. Why did Mr Gadkari give unsecured loan to Update Mercantile which was managed by his own people and from where did the money come from?