Nitin Gadkari case: I-T department conducts inquiries at 12 places in Mumbai

IT department on Tuesday conducted inquiries at 12 places in Mumbai where firms, which had invested in BJP chief Nitin Gadkari's company, had given their addresses.

Earlier both the Income Tax Department and the Ministry of Company Affairs began separate inquiries into Gadkari's firm and its financial dealings with 26 investor companies.

Officials of the investing companies would be summoned in due course and, if needed, the BJP chief would also be asked to be present, reports said.

Gadkari is at the centre of a raging controversy over funding of PPSL with media reports claiming that major investments and large loans to Purti were made by Ideal Road Builders (IRB) group, which had won several big contracts between 1995 and 1999, when the BJP chief was PWD minister in Maharashtra.

Media reports also claimed that shell companies were floated for making investments and their fake addresses were submitted to the Registrar of Companies.

Last week Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily had said that Registrars of Companies would inquire into the allegations.

On his part, Gadkari has denied the allegations and said he was prepared for a probe.