BJP calls charges against Eknath Khadse serious

When Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, was asked to comment on Maharashtra Cabinet minister Eknath Khadse's alleged links with Dawood Ibrahim, he said, "Charges against Khadse are serious and Centre is in touch with the state government."

This move follows fresh claims made by ethical hacker Manish Bhangale about seven calls allegedly made to Khadse's phone from the Karachi residence of the fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. The revenue minister, who has been facing a series of allegations, requested the chief minister to order the

anti-terrorist squad

(ATS) to look into the allegations.

"Following a request by revenue minister, ATS chief Atul Kulkarni will now probe the matter," Fadnavis said while confirming the development with Hindustan Times.

Bhangale and AAP leader Preeti Menon claimed that the calls were made from Dawood's residence on Khadse's number between January and March 2015. They have has also claimed that the call of the longest duration was made on 23 March 2015, according to Hindustan Times.