MUMBAI: Observing that the Benami Transactions Prohibition law amended in 2016 doesn’t have a retrospective effect, Bombay high court quashed a 2021 complaint against NCP (Ajit Pawar team) leader and minister Chhagan Bhujbal, son Pankaj, nephew Sameer Bhujbal over alleged Benami assets held by three companies including property in Mumbai and Girna sugar mills in Nashik, an alleged benami property.
The Income Tax Department, empowered to conduct the proceedings, had in 2021 invoked a sparingly used law meant to curb Benami transactions against the former Maharashtra Home Minister, others alleging that properties were held through a maze of holdings for the three Bhujbals.
