In a reply to an RTI plea, the state government denied providing inquiry report on Radheshyam Mopalwar, vice chairman and managing director of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). In 2017 Mopalwar was removed from the post of MSRDC after an audio clip of the latter where he allegedly told a middleman about the functioning and dealings in the Mantralaya became viral on social media.
The details of the report were sought by Vivek Velankar, a Pune-based RTI activist. While denying the report, the general administration department (GAD) said that it cannot be given as government is yet to "act" on it.
After being removed, a committee was formed under Johny Joseph, former chief secretary to investigate into the matter. The voice in the audio had reportedly matched with that of Mopalwar as per forensic analysis.
However, after the inquiry, it came to be known that the audio was doctored. "We do not have the original audio clip. It was provided by channels that had run it. The voice was similar, but not his. Also, the plot which was talked about had nothing to do with Mopalwar as it was not under MSRDC. Thus, there was no question of corruption," said Joseph.
After the report was submitted, Mopalwar was reinstated. This is the second time he was given one year extension for the job. "If he was reinstated after the inquiry report, it means that the report gave him a clean chit. In that case, there is no reason that the report should be withheld. If no action has been taken, the reinstatement is questionable. Why should the government not provide the report? Why did it take two years to take action on the report," asked Velankar.
DNA tried to get in touch with Mopalwar and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis but failed to get a response.
ACCUSATION
In 2017 Mopalwar was removed from the post of MSRDC after an audio clip of the latter where he allegedly told a middleman about the functioning and dealings in the Mantralaya became viral
