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SIT settling personal scores: Bhujbal
January 17, 2004 17:56 IST
Last Updated: January 17, 2004 20:09 IST
Former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Saturday alleged that the Special Investigation Team probing the multi-crore fake stamp papers racket has 'missed its track' and is harassing him and his family.
"A systematic attempt has been made to ruin my political and personal life," Bhujbal told reporters at a press conference in Mumbai.
The SIT, instead of probing the scam, is settling personal scores, he alleged.
Referring to a petition in court challenging the appointment of S S Puri as SIT chief, he said: "The investigating agency should go slow in its probe till the matter is resolved."
Asked why was he unhappy with the SIT, he said nearly two and half months ago he had come to the conclusion that the SIT was taking a different course than that was prescribed. The government had then decided to hand the probe over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
About his nephew, Sameer Bhujbal, who is abroad, he said: "Sameer will come and appear before SIT soon."
Bhujbal said those behind the stamps scam are still roaming free and demanded action against them.
Reiterating that he is not involved in the scam, he said he is not afraid to appear before the SIT. "Hang me if I am guilty," he said.
The former deputy chief minister alleged that the SIT is attempting to demoralise IAS and IPS officers in the state.
"Merely summons by SIT for questioning does not mean that the concerned person is guilty," he said, adding that those who have committed mistakes must face the music.
The SIT, meanwhile, has termed the allegations 'baseless and unfortunate'.
"The investigations are on the right track and SIT knows that it is investigating stamps scam and nothing else but
stamps scam alone," a senior SIT official told PTI.