Rs 92 lakh cash seized from state cooperative minister's vehicle

MUMBAI: More than a week after high-value currency notes were demonetised, Rs 91.5 lakh in cash was found in a private vehicle belonging to Solapur-based Lok Mangal group, which is controlled by senior BJP leader and state cooperation minister Subhash Deshmukh Osmanabad collector Prashant Narnaware confirmed that a routine check of vehicles by a flying squad set up for the ensuing municipal council polls netted the amount on Thursday. A Lok Mangal staffer in the car said the cash belonged to the Lok Mangal bank. Deshmukh said it was meant for payment to workers in a sugar factory affiliated to the Lok Mangal group.The vehicle has been impounded in Umarga tehsil in Osmanabad district, while the cash has been deposited in the local treasury.“We have sought clarification from the group. In addition, we have informed the income tax department and the local police. If the group justifies the cash, it will be returned. Else, legal action will be taken as per the provisions of law,’’ Narnaware said.Subhash Deshmukh did not respond to a TOI sms. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP and Congress were quick to demand immediate dismissal of the controversial minister for black money transactions. In the past, Lok Mangal was under the scanner of Sebi for irregularities in mobilising funds for the group.NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, “We feel that maximum black money is stocked in the houses of BJP leaders. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis should sack Deshmukh immediately and the income tax department must search the official and residential premises of leading BJP politicians.”Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant echoed the NCP’s demand and said the IT department should probe into the transactions of all BJP leaders during the last six months. “It is well known that Modi’s decision to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes was leaked selectively to senior BJP leaders and leading industrial houses. Deshmukh is not the first BJP politician; last week too, a huge amount was found in a vehicle belonging to a BJP leader,’’ Sawant said.