Mumbai Court Restores 2021 Benami Property Case Against Chhagan Bhujbal and Family
A Mumbai special court has reinstated the 2021 benami property case involving Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal and his family members, despite the Bombay High Court's earlier quashing of the case on technical grounds.
Benami PropertyChhagan BhujbalMaharashtraIncome Tax DepartmentSupreme CourtReal Estate MaharashtraSep 16, 2025
The case, initiated in 2021 by the Income Tax Department, involved Chhagan Bhujbal, his relatives, and companies allegedly linked to them – Armstrong Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, Parvesh Constructions Pvt Ltd, and Devisha Constructions Pvt Ltd. The department claimed the accused were the beneficial owners of benami assets and had engaged in benami transactions during the financial years 2008-09 and 2010-11.
Benami properties are assets that are held in the name of another person, while the actual beneficiary remains hidden. In November 2021, the special court had issued summonses to Chhagan Bhujbal, his son Pankaj Bhujbal, and nephew Sameer Bhujbal. However, they challenged the case in the Bombay High Court, which in December 2024 quashed the complaint based on a Supreme Court precedent, not on the factual basis or substance of the allegations.
Special Judge Satyanarayan Navander, hearing the matter in the special MP/MLA court, stated that the High Court's decision was purely technical and did not address the facts or merits of the complaint. In an order passed on Tuesday, the special judge noted that the High Court, while quashing the case, 'did not touch either the facts of the case or the merits of the matter.'
The special court underlined that the Bombay High Court had granted liberty to the prosecution to revive the proceeding in case their review petition was allowed by the Supreme Court. As the Supreme Court has since allowed the review and set aside the earlier precedent, the court noted it had no choice but to restore the proceedings.
The matter will now proceed before the Special MP/MLA Court in Mumbai, with the next hearing scheduled for October 6, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a benami property?
A benami property is an asset that is held in the name of another person, while the actual beneficiary remains hidden.
Who is Chhagan Bhujbal?
Chhagan Bhujbal is a politician from Maharashtra, India, currently serving as a minister in the Maharashtra government.
What was the basis for the Bombay High Court's decision to quash the case?
The Bombay High Court quashed the case on technical grounds, not on the factual basis or substance of the allegations.
What did the special court decide?
The special court decided to restore the 2021 benami property case against Chhagan Bhujbal and his family, stating that the High Court's decision was purely technical.
When is the next hearing scheduled?
The next hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2025.
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