Former Maharashtra minister Eknath Khadse challenges trial court order in Pune’s Bhosari land deal case, seeks discharge from money laundering charges in Bombay High Court
Eknath Khadse Challenges Court Order in Bhosari Land Deal Case
Former Maharashtra minister Eknath Khadse has filed a challenge in the Bombay High Court. He is contesting a trial court order that rejected his plea for discharge in the Bhosari land deal case in Pune.
Khadse approached the high court after the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court denied his discharge request on December 3, 2025. The special court is set to frame charges against Khadse and other accused on January 16.
Details of the Hearing
During a hearing before Justice Ashwin Bhobe on Tuesday, Khadse’s lawyer, advocate Ashish Vernekar, requested interim relief. Vernekar argued that if charges were framed before the hearing, Khadse would have to repeat the entire process. He also mentioned that Khadse, a senior citizen, would need to travel from Jalgaon to Mumbai for the hearings.
Investigation and Accusations
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating the case. They arrested Khadse’s son-in-law, Girish Chaudhari, in July 2021. Chaudhari’s wife, Mandakini, and landowner Abbas Rasalbhai Ukani are also named as accused.
Prosecution Response
Public prosecutor Mankunwar Deshmukh requested more time to respond, stating it was challenging for the state to file a reply at this stage. The bench noted a delay on Khadse’s part in approaching the court. They granted the prosecution time to seek instructions and scheduled the next hearing for January 21.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Khadse’s Discharge Plea Rejected | December 3, 2025 | Trial court denied discharge in Bhosari land deal case. |
| Charges to be Framed | January 16 | Special court to frame charges against Khadse and others. |
| Next Hearing | January 21 | Further hearing scheduled after prosecution’s request for time. |
