Maharashtra
Bombay HC Quashes PMLA Case Against Chamankar Enterprises In Maharashtra Sadan Contract Row
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday quashed the money laundering case against Chamankar Enterprises and its three partners, who were accused of irregularities in the award of contracts for the Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi, the RTO building at Tardeo and an SRA project in Kalina.
A bench of Justices Ajey Gadkari and Rajesh Patil quashed the FIR against Krishna Shantaram Chamankar, Prashant Shantaram Chamankar, and Prasanna Shantaram Chamankar and their firm Chamankar Enterprises.
They had moved the HC after the special PMLA court in October 2024 declined to discharge them, holding that the “scheduled offence is not finally absolved by a court on account of discharge.”
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had booked Chamankars in 2015, alleging that in return for the projects, kickbacks were paid to family members of then PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal.
Although the ACB case was closed in July 2021, with the trial court discharging the firm and its directors, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) continued with a prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on the same allegations.
Petitioners’ counsel pointed out that the discharge order passed by the special court on July 31, 2021, had not been challenged for over four years and had thus “attained finality”.
The trial court had categorically held that Maharashtra Sadan and other projects “were constructed as per the contract” and that “there was no material against the petitioners”, their plea contended.
The ED opposed the plea, citing a Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) High Court ruling that PMLA prosecution can continue even if the predicate offence is quashed. However, the agency admitted that they were discharged from the predicate offence.
The HC rejected this argument, stressing that the J&K ruling had no binding effect in Maharashtra and that the Supreme Court’s precedents in other cases were clear.
“It is an admitted fact on record that the petitioners have been discharged by the trial court from the predicate offence registered by the ACB, and the said order has attained finality,” the bench observed in its detailed order.
Relying on the apex court’s finding that acquittal or discharge in the predicate offence extends to those named in a related PMLA case, the HC held: “The conclusion enumerated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court…. squarely applies. Therefore, the ECIR and the charge-sheet filed thereof deserve to be quashed and set aside.”
The Maharashtra Sadan, the state government’s guesthouse in New Delhi, was redeveloped during Chhagan Bhujbal’s tenure as PWD minister. The project became the centre of a major controversy after allegations surfaced that contracts were awarded to firms linked to Bhujbal’s associates in exchange for kickbacks.
The ACB registered a case in 2015, leading to Bhujbal’s arrest and prosecution. Although the Chamankars were named in the alleged scam, the trial court in 2021 discharged them, finding no irregularities in the awarding of contracts or execution of work.
Bhujbal was arrested in 2015 and remained in custody until he was granted bail by the HC in 2018. In 2021, a special court discharged Bhujbal, his son Pankaj, nephew Sameer (former MP), and five others from the ACB case.
Maharashtra
Abu Asim Azmi Foundation organizes grand “Career Guidance and Counseling Session 2026” in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, along with education, skills are also the key to success : Abu Asim

Mumbai: With an aim to create educational awareness and promote a bright future for the youth, Abu Asim Azmi Foundation today organised a grand “Career Guidance and Counselling Session 2026” at Geeta Vikas Hall in Mankhurdshivaji Nagar. Hundreds of students of class 10th and 12th from the area and their parents participated enthusiastically in the event. During the session, career guidance experts from various fields provided detailed guidance to the students.
They explained the new and emerging career options available today beyond traditional degrees. The experts also cleared the doubts of the students regarding competitive exams, technical education and professional courses. Addressing the students on the occasion, Abu Asim Azmi, Chairman of the Foundation and MLA, stressed on the importance of skills along with education. He said, “In today’s world, just getting a degree is not enough.
Children should learn different skills. If you have skills, then in the future, doors of great opportunities will open for you not only in the country but also abroad. Skill development is the key that will make you financially independent and empowered.” At the end of the program, the students directly interacted with experts and received valuable advice to plan their future. Local residents and parents praised the initiative of Abu Asim Azmi Foundation, saying that such events help children from poor and middle-class families choose the right path. The program was directed by Principal Zeba Malik and Shabana Khan. The large number of students made the program a success.
Maharashtra
Those spreading lockdown rumours will be in trouble After a meeting with the Prime Minister, strict action has been ordered: Devendra Fadnavis

Devendra Fadnavis
Mumbai; Those spreading rumors about the lockdown in the country are no longer safe. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has warned of strict action against those spreading rumors after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made it clear that the situation is improving in the meeting held by the Prime Minister of the country with the Chief Ministers. Despite the crisis, there is no shortage of gas and other fuels in the country. Therefore, people should not spread rumors. If anyone spreads rumors, strict action will be taken against them. So that the prices of crude oil do not increase, the government has reduced the excise duty rate and this concession has given relief to the people. Commenting on the rumors related to the lockdown, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also instructed the state ministers to take strict action against those spreading rumors in the country, after which today the Chief Minister has claimed that there is no shortage of gas and other fuels in the state. Therefore, artificial shortages should not be created. He said that in neighboring countries, the time has come for lockdown due to oil and other sources. A weekly work schedule has been fixed here, but the situation is fine here.
Therefore, rumors should not be spread if someone spreads rumors on social media. If anyone spreads misinformation, action will be taken against him, which is why the Chief Minister has appealed to the public not to spread misinformation.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Case Registered in Navi Mumbai Against NCB’s Amit Ghoute and Two Others on Complaint by Construction Company Owner’s Wife, Alleging Abetment to Suicide.

Mumbai NCB Zonal Director Amir Ghaute has been booked in Navi Mumbai Police against two officers for abetting suicide on the complaint of the wife of construction company owner Gurunath Chachalkar. The accused have been accused of forcing Chachalkar to commit suicide by his wife Kiran Chachalkar. In April, Chachalkar committed suicide by shooting himself in his house, after which the wife declared it not suicide but murder and requested that a case be registered against NCB officers. On this, on March 25, a case was registered against NCP Zonal Director Amit Ghaute, Akash Malik, Sandeep Negre under other sections including abetting suicide, extortion, humiliation. Chichalkar committed suicide by shooting himself with his revolver on April 25, 2025.
His wife alleged that on February 2, the NCB team had searched the house and seized documents and a watch worth Rs 2 lakh. After that, they had threatened him several times and demanded Rs 10 to 15 crores and threatened to implicate him in the case otherwise. When NCB Zonal Director Amit Ghaute was questioned in this matter, he termed all the allegations baseless and said that the accused whom NCB has arrested so far in the drug syndicate case have not been granted bail. Along with this, allegations have also been made against the NCB’s investigation method, which is based on malice. He said that the investigation conducted by NCB in the drug case was in the right direction and due to this, progress has been made in the investigation in this case. Properties worth crores of rupees have also been seized in this case.
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