Pune: Dhangekar Alleges Misuse of Builder’s Car by Union Minister Mohol; Minister Rejects Charges
Pune, 24th October 2025: The ongoing war of words between former MLA Ravindra Dhangekar and Union Minister of State Muralidhar Mohol escalated further on Thursday, with Dhangekar levelling fresh allegations of corruption and misuse of position during Mohol’s tenure as Pune Mayor.
In a series of posts on social media, Dhangekar alleged that Mohol, while serving as Mayor, used a car owned by a private developer — Badhekar Builder of Kothrud — fitted with an official Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) government plate. He claimed the white Innova Crysta (MH12 SW 0909) used by the mayor was neither Mohol’s nor the PMC’s official vehicle but belonged to the same builder allegedly linked to the Jain Hostel land transaction case.
Dhangekar alleged, “Is it ethical for a mayor to use a private builder’s car while holding a constitutional post? Could the municipal corporation, with a ₹9,500 crore budget, not afford a car for its mayor?” He further claimed that several redevelopment projects in Kothrud were approved during Mohol’s tenure, allegedly benefiting Badhekar Builder, and that the company’s financial records reflected “unnatural growth and possible money laundering.”
He added, “This builder is also connected to the controversial Jain Hostel land purchase. The entire matter should be investigated impartially by central agencies to expose corruption and misuse of power.”
Dhangekar, who earlier accused Mohol of having ties with those involved in the Jain Hostel deal, reiterated that the former mayor’s name appeared in several questionable partnerships and that his assets had grown “400 times” in recent years.
Mohol Dismisses Allegations, Calls Them ‘Baseless’
Reacting to the accusations, Union Minister Muralidhar Mohol denied all charges, calling Dhangekar’s claims “politically motivated.”
“I am the only mayor who used my own car for two and a half years. I did not use any PMC vehicle. I have clearly mentioned in my Lok Sabha affidavit that I am a partner in the said partnership and used my own car,” Mohol said.
He added, “This man with a perverted mentality says something new every day. I do not want to respond to such baseless allegations.”
When asked about Minister Uday Samant’s reaction, Mohol said, “A person in Pune has stooped to a new low by making personal attacks. Punekars do not appreciate such behaviour, and they have already given him an appropriate response.”
Dhangekar, a former MLA from Kasba Peth constituency, has been targeting Mohol over alleged irregularities in the Jain Hostel land deal, claiming it involved misuse of office and collusion between civic officials and developers.
Mohol, now a Union Minister of State, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, maintaining that all transactions were lawful and transparent.
