Mumbai Court Rescinds Non-Bailable Warrants Against Former Maharashtra Minister Eknath Khadse and Wife

Mumbai: In a significant relief for NCP leader and former state minister Eknath Khadse and his wife Mandakini, a special court in Mumbai has rescinded the non-bailable warrants (NBW) previously issued against them. The warrants were rescinded after the couple appeared in person and cited a Bombay High Court stay on the proceedings.

The proceedings took place before Special Judge Mahesh Jadhav at the city’s designated court for MPs and MLAs. The case, initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), pertains to alleged irregularities in a 2016 land deal in Bhosari, Pune. Last week, the court had issued the NBWs after the Khadses failed to appear for the framing of charges. On Friday, the couple appeared suo moto and submitted medical documents to explain their prior absence.

While the judge cancelled the warrants, both were directed to pay Rs 500 each. The defense team, led by advocate Ashish Vernekar, presented an order from the Bombay High Court. The Khadses had moved the HC earlier, and the HC has directed the special court to defer the hearing until February 24.

The warrants were issued in two separate cases — the Anti-Corruption Bureau's (ACB) corruption case and the related money laundering case. Both cases are being tried by the same court. The Khadses and their son-in-law Girish Chaudhari are accused in a case relating to the alleged misuse of official position to purchase land in Bhosari, which was already acquired by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).

The case has been a subject of intense scrutiny, with the ED and ACB alleging that the land deal was conducted under suspicious circumstances. The allegations include the misuse of official position to secure the land at a lower price, benefiting the accused financially. The court's decision to cancel the warrants and defer the hearing until February 24 provides a temporary reprieve to the Khadses, allowing them to prepare their defense more thoroughly.

This development comes amid ongoing investigations into various high-profile cases in Maharashtra, highlighting the state's commitment to transparency and accountability in public office. The Khadses have maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings, and their legal team is confident of a favorable outcome in the case.

The NCP, a key opposition party in Maharashtra, has also stood by the former minister and his wife, expressing confidence in the judicial process and their eventual exoneration. The case is expected to continue to draw attention, with the next hearing scheduled in February, where the court will review the evidence and proceed accordingly.

As the legal battle unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring a fair and just trial, while also addressing the broader implications of such cases on public trust and governance in the state.