After Deshmukh another Aghadi vasoolibaaz has been exposed, minister Anil Parab has allegedly extorted 300 crores

In an explosive development, senior Shiv Sena leader and state transport minister Anil Parab – who is known to be close to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray finds himself at the centre of a graft investigation which has been launched by Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey. The enquiry was ordered after it was revealed by a suspended motor vehicle inspector of the Nashik Regional Transport Office (RTO) that state minister Anil Parab, the state transport commissioner and five other officers were extorting money to the tune of Rs. 300 crores for postings and transfers within the RTO department.

In his complaint, the suspended officer Gajendra Patil has alleged corruption at border check posts; settlement of cases against some private operators and illegal registration of BS-4 vehicles. This, apart from the massive extortion racket that he claims is being run at the behest of Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab within the RTO department. Patil has named state transport minister Anil Parab and six senior officers of the RTO for their alleged role in transfers and postings of RTO officials.

Reacting to the damning allegations of corruption levelled against him, Anil Parab in a tweet said, “The complaint is filed with a political motive as part of which (the complainant is) trying to project that the state government cannot do anything against such ministers and then demand an inquiry by the CBI through the high court.” The state minister accused of massive corruption called the complaint filed against him and five other officers baseless, false, and politically motivated.

Earlier, in March this year, the very foundations of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra were shaken after it was revealed by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh that tainted and suspended cop Sachin Vaze was reportedly instructed by Home Minister Anil Deshmukh to collect close to Rs. 100 crores every month from across various establishments in Mumbai.

In his letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Param Bir Singh, now DG – Home Guard had claimed that senior NCP leader and Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had directed suspended API Sachin Vaze to collect Rs 100 crore every month for him from bars restaurants, other establishments. Param Bir Singh has further alleged that for achieving this target of Rs 100 crore per month, Anil Deshmukh told Sachin Vaze, “There are about 1,750 bars, restaurants and other establishments in Mumbai and if a sum of Rs 2-3 lakh each was collected from each of them, a monthly collection of Rs 40-50 crores was achievable.” Anil Deshmukh was forced to resign from the post of the state home minister following such revelations.