34 mins ago
Income Tax Scrutiny Expands Around Maratha Agitation Network
The Income Tax Department is checking the money and property connected to some people involved in the Maratha reservation movement.
It is examining leaders, relatives, business associates and other organizers.
Officials are looking at tax records, assets, contracts and large payments.
One company linked to a relative reportedly handled government work worth Rs 764.7 crore.
Some opponents say the contracts may have been connected to negotiations during the protests.
Officials say they have found no evidence that the contracts were political favors.
The department is also checking alleged sand-mining links and land purchases in Jalna.
The review began after Manoj Jarange Patil ended his latest protest and paused a planned march to Mumbai.
The Income Tax Department is examining finances linked to Maratha reservation agitation leaders and associates across Maharashtra.
The review covers tax returns, assets, high-value transactions, business links and government contracts over multiple years.
Officials confirmed scrutiny of contracts totaling Rs 764.7 crore but rejected claims of political quid pro quo.
Investigators are examining alleged sand-mining links, land purchases in Jalna and the source of related funds.
The scrutiny follows Manoj Jarange Patil’s decision to suspend his latest protest and proposed march to Mumbai.
- Who
- The Income Tax Department, Manoj Jarange Patil, his associates and relatives, and people connected to the Maratha reservation agitation.
- What
- A multi-year financial scrutiny of tax records, assets, business transactions, government contracts and related financial links.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna.
- When
- The scrutiny was reported a few days after Manoj Jarange Patil called off his 12th protest and suspended a proposed march to Mumbai.
- Why
- To examine financial records, assets, government contracts, alleged sand-mining links and the sources of funds used for land purchases.
Allegations and Concerns
Officials’ Response
Government contract awards
Allegations and Concerns
Political opponents, including former Jarange Patil associate Ajay Baraskar, allege that contracts worth about Rs 764 crore may have been connected to negotiations during the agitation.
Officials’ Response
Officials confirmed the Rs 764.7 crore figure but said it lacked context, noting that the business had completed earlier work and that its experience was considered under tendering rules.
Political quid pro quo
Allegations and Concerns
The allegations suggest contracts may have been awarded in exchange for calming or withdrawing the agitation.
Officials’ Response
Officials said the preliminary examination found no evidence that the Maharashtra government awarded contracts as favors, or used pressure or blackmail to influence the agitation.
Financial and criminal links
Allegations and Concerns
Questions have been raised about alleged sand-mining activities, personal assets and the source of funds for land purchases linked to people around the movement.
Officials’ Response
The Income Tax Department is examining these records and transactions, but the article does not report final findings establishing wrongdoing.
Key facts
- Department involved
- Income Tax Department
- Contract figure examined
- Rs 764.7 crore
- Reported contract history
- 259 works were reportedly executed between 2016 and 2023.
- Company incorporation
- The private limited company was incorporated on March 1, 2023.
- Earlier business structure
- The business reportedly operated as a proprietorship from 2000.
- Land scrutiny
- Officials are examining alleged large land holdings in Jalna and the sources of funds used to acquire them.
- Agitation development
- Manoj Jarange Patil called off his 12th protest and suspended a proposed second march to Mumbai.
Sources
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