NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal acquitted in Kalina land scam case after 11-year legal battle
Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal has been discharged from the last remaining case linked to the alleged Kalina land scam, bringing to an end a series of legal proceedings he had faced in connection with the matter.
A special court dealing with cases against MPs and MLAs discharged Bhujbal and several other accused on Thursday in the case concerning the alleged irregularities in the award of a contract for a central library at the Mumbai University.
The case was registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in connection with the development of a prime parcel of land in Mumbai’s Kalina area.
The plot, measuring around four acres and owned by the Mumbai University, had been made available to the state government for construction of a library.
According to the allegations, the Public Works Department (PWD), which was headed by Bhujbal at the time, floated tenders in 2009 for construction of the library on a portion of the land.
The remaining portion was subsequently leased to a private developer for 99 years at a rate of Re 1 per square metre.
The ACB had alleged that the transaction was illegal and caused a substantial financial loss to the state exchequer.
The agency had further alleged that Bhujbal and other accused benefited from the arrangement through kickbacks received in connection with the land transaction. The allegations formed the basis of the case registered in 2016.
Bhujbal, however, challenged the allegations and sought discharge from the proceedings. His case was represented by advocate Sudarshan Khawase.
During the proceedings, the defence argued against the allegations linking Bhujbal to any illegal financial benefit arising from the transaction.
While allowing the discharge plea, the special court found that there was no material establishing proceeds of crime or a quid pro quo involving Bhujbal and the other accused. The court consequently discharged Bhujbal along with the other persons facing proceedings in the case.
The detailed, reasoned order explaining the court’s findings was not available immediately.
However, its contents are expected to provide further clarity on the evidence and circumstances considered by the court while granting the reprieve.
The latest order marks a significant development in the long-running legal proceedings arising from the alleged Kalina land transaction.
The detailed order, once released, is likely to indicate the court’s assessment of the allegations and evidence against the accused and whether any further legal proceedings could follow.- EndsPublished By: Vivek Published On: Sep 24, 2026 17:46 IST
