Mumbai, Mar 14 (FN Bureau) The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted interim protection to NCP leader and former minister Hasan Mushrif in a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate against alleged irregularities related to Kolhapur-based sugar co-operative with which his sons are allegedly associated. The court directed Mushrif to approach special court which has been directed to decide on the matter expeditiously.Mushrif had on Monday moved the Bombay high court urging the court to quash the FIR registered by ED.
He has also urged the court for a stay on any coercive action against him in the case. While arguing the matter his lawyers argued that the Bombay high court had stayed the proceedings in the scheduled – offence case last year itself despite of that he has been summoned by the agency. Meanwhile Musharif’s lawyer had submitted a request to E D seeking more time for his client to appear before the agency for questioning. The NCP MLA was summoned by ED to record his statement. This came after the agency searched his Kolhapur home on Saturday. The former minister was not at home when the searches were carried out. The Saturday raid was third in last two months on the former labour minister for alleged diversion of Rs 40 crores in Sar Senapati Santaji Ghorpade Sugar factory of Kolhapur which is purportedly run and controlled by his family and relatives.