Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, May 7: A special court in Khed, Ratnagiri, has acquitted Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLC Anil Parab along with four others in a case related to the Sai Resort project at Dapoli in Ratnagiri district.
The court cleared Parab, sarpanch Suresh Tupe, gramsevak Anant Koli, circle officer Sudhir Pardule and sub-divisional officer Jayram Deshpande of charges including cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who had alleged that illegal permissions were obtained for the construction of Sai Resort on land falling under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. Allegations were also made that the local gram panchayat was misled during taxation assessment related to the project.
However, Special Judge P S Chandgude observed that the prosecution failed to establish the allegations against the accused. The court noted that although Somaiya was a key witness in the matter, he was not examined during the trial.
“He was the important witness. However, prosecution has not examined Kirit Somaiya to prove the offence against the accused,” the court stated in its order.
The court further observed that no evidence was produced to prove that the accused public servants had gained financially or possessed disproportionate assets. It also said there was no proof that permissions for construction in the CRZ area were granted illegally.
Additionally, the court held that the prosecution failed to establish charges that taxation assessment of the building was carried out before completion of construction.
Parab’s counsel S S Butala argued before the court that the prosecution could not prove any financial loss to the government due to the project.
“The prosecution has not proved that the accused No.1 to 5 in collusion with each other have committed the offences as alleged,” the court noted.
Meanwhile, a separate Enforcement Directorate (ED) case linked to the same allegations is still pending.