IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe has been cleared by the Nagpur Police of all allegations linked to his role at the Nagpur Smart City Corporation during his tenure as Chief Executive Officer amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Industry Minister Uday Samant informed the Legislative Assembly that two separate investigations—by the Nagpur City Police and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW)—found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Responding to a call attention motion moved by BJP MLA Krishna Khopde, Samant said the probes examined allegations of corruption involving the disbursement of ₹20 crore for various contracts during the pandemic. At the time, Mundhe was serving as Municipal Commissioner of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and also held additional charge as officiating CEO of the Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDCL).
Khopde had alleged that Mundhe authorised orders related to ₹20 crore of NSSCDCL funds without jurisdiction, leading to an FIR being lodged at Sadar Police Station by the then mayor and other NMC office-bearers. He also referred to a complaint filed by two women officers of the Smart City project, alleging harassment, and sought clarity on the status of the investigations, noting that no updates had emerged for nearly two years.
Replying on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Department Minister Eknath Shinde, Samant told the House that Mundhe was exonerated in both inquiries—one conducted by Sadar Police and the other by the EOW. The FIR allegations were found to be baseless, with investigators concluding that Mundhe acted within his mandate while handling Smart City affairs.
An inquiry committee led by the then Nagpur Police Commissioner found no proof to support claims of misuse of power raised by the former mayor and the ruling party leader. Similarly, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (EOW), Crime Branch, reported that no irregularities had been committed.
BJP leader Pravin Datke also participated in the discussion, urging that both clean chit reports be tabled in the Assembly and seeking an update on the pending harassment inquiry involving the two women officers. Samant said the harassment probe report would be completed within a month and its findings presented before the House.
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