IT sleuths arrested NCP leader Bhujbal

New Delhi, July 6: The Income Tax (IT) officials have arrested the former Deputy CM and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal and his family members and seized Benami assets worth Rs 300 crores here on Wednesday.

Officials said that the former deputy chief minister acquired the assets by floating a web of around 50 shell companies.

The Income Tax department has issued notices for provisional attachment of assets of Bhujbal, his son Pankaj and nephew Sameer and has identified them as beneficiaries of the alleged Benami assets.

Investigations revealed that the mill is registered in the name of Armstrong Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, whereas the house is in the name of Parvesh Construction Pvt Ltd.

Till date, the probe has revealed at least 44 shell companies, which were used to invest funds in two of the three firms identified as Benami.

The order, issued after over four months of investigations by a special I-T team, said the probe clearly shows that the properties were acquired out of unexplained funds of the Bhujbal family.

The IT order considered the findings and statements recorded by the Enforcement Directorate, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The IT department will move for confiscating these assets after getting approval from the Adjudicating Authority of the Act.