Priti Pathak
FORMER Shiv Sena minister Babanrao Shankar Gholap alongwith his wife Shashikala Gholap were sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1 lakh each for possessing undeclared assets valuing 194% more than their known income.
The complainant had filled a Criminal suit in the Special court, against the MLA and his wife stating that they had made money adopting illegal means. The honourable court directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to carry out further investigations in the case, under section 156(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
On February 20, 1999 on the basis of evidences a case was registered against them. In further investigations it was found that the couple had possessed 194% undeclared assets and on May 25, 2001 a special case was registered against them.
On March 21, 2014 the ACB’s Special Court Judge V. A. Daulatabadkar during the hearing found the couple guilty and the charges against them were proved to be true. The court punished the Gholap under sections 13(1)(E) and 13(2) for 3 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1 lakh (if not paid then 3 months rigorous imprisonment) and his wife under section 13(1)(E) for 3 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh (if not paid then 3 months rigorous imprisonment).
The investigation was carried under the then Assistant Police Inspector (ACP) Suresh Bhalekar and Inspector Ramesh Mahale under the guidance of Public Prosecutor Kalpana Chavan.