Thane: ACB probe against ex-MLA points to assets of Rs 8.25 crore

THANE: In a case involving alleged disproportionate assets, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Thane has seized documents from former BJP MLA Narendra Mehta's residences and offices pertaining to properties, cars and jewellery, sources said. An ACB official said the case was registered last week at Navghar police station at Mira Road based on a complaint by the ACB's Thane Unit against Mehta and his wife. An ACB official said the case was registered after a preliminary inquiry in which police obtained documents linked to his assets and questioned him.
The ACB said during Mehta's tenure as corporator of the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) and as MLA from January 2006 to August 2015 he had earned income in excess of Rs. 8.25 crore by misusing his position as a public servant. The amount was allegedly over and above his known sources of income as a public servant. An offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act has also been registered against his wife Suman who abetted him, the ACB said.

ACB superintendent Punjabrao Ugale remained unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts.
An officer said the ACB is scrutinising documents pertaining to Mehta's firms as well as his partnerships, directorships in other companies including a sprawling club. His investments in the real estate, education and health sectors are also under the scanner.
ACB sources said the exact valuation of the jewellery owned cannot be revealed but it is in excess of Rs 1 crore. The police have reportedly found a Lamborghini car worth over Rs 3 crore, which was gifted to Suman in 2016. It is learnt that she had met with an accident in the same car in 2016 when it had rammed into an autorickshaw in 2016.
Police said searches were conducted by a team of ACB officers at different locations after the case was registered.