Last year when Mahesh Karajgaonkar, now facing cheating charges in Sitabuldi police station, was appointed as deputy director (education) of Nagpur division many eyebrows were raised. There were multiple reasons for that.
Karajgaonkar had earlier been transferred to Pune but he never joined there in spite of being relieved from his Nagpur post. Secondly, he had already been in Nagpur for the last ten years hence many felt he should now work in a different jurisdiction. The most important reason was that there were many complaints against him during his Nagpur tenure.
Regardless of these, Karajgaonkar was appointed deputy director of Nagpur division. Many had then wondered who was behind controversial officer's Nagpur posting but officials had kept mum. Now we know. Documents released under RTI have revealed it was Saoner MLA Sunil Kedar, himself an accused in Nagpur District Central Cooperative Bank scam case, who pushed for Karajgaonkar's retention at Nagpur.
Faced with his recommendation, the school education department sent a letter to then chief minister Ashok Chavhan seeking directions in the matter. The letter dated July 16, 2010, said Karajgaonkar had been promoted and asked to join at Pune division. It further added that Karajgaonkar had been relieved from his Nagpur position (education officer) on April 12, 2010, but even three months later had failed to report to the new posting.
Meanwhile, Kedar wrote to the government asking that Karajgaonkar be appointed the new deputy director of Nagpur division. The education dept stressed on the fact that the Pune position was still lying vacant and Karajgaonkar had already spent 10 consecutive years in Nagpur. Further, "during his tenure there have been complaints against him (Karajgaonkar) from various quarters. Hence keeping in mind the above mentioned facts should Karajgaonkar be appointed deputy director (Nagpur)," the letter asked.
Clearly, the department was reluctant to keep Karajgaonkar in Nagpur. Still, the letter moved with great speed in Mantralay. Within three days, the then principal secretary (school edu) Sanjay Kumar made the following noting "please accept this", in Karajgaonkar's favour. In another two weeks, the proposal got official sanction and Karajgaonkar was appointed deputy director of education (Nagpur).
When TOI spoke to Sunil Kedar on whether he had lobbied for the controversial officer, Kedar said "I have known Karajgaonkar since my ZP days. He is a friend of mine, I don't remember the details but yes I had written the letter". Karajgaonkar said, "I never asked for Nagpur posting. I never went to Kedar asking for favours. He wrote it on his own. I know many politicians from Kedar to Anil Deshmukh to Devendra Fadnavis. All of them are my friends. But I have never taken undue favour from anyone. Some people are trying to tarnish my image."
Both Ashok Chavan and Sanjay Kumar told TOI they did not remember of this matter. Kumar though confirmed that the letter from Kedar was received by his department but said he was "unable to recall anything further".
Karajgaonkar had earlier been transferred to Pune but he never joined there in spite of being relieved from his Nagpur post. Secondly, he had already been in Nagpur for the last ten years hence many felt he should now work in a different jurisdiction. The most important reason was that there were many complaints against him during his Nagpur tenure.
Regardless of these, Karajgaonkar was appointed deputy director of Nagpur division. Many had then wondered who was behind controversial officer's Nagpur posting but officials had kept mum. Now we know. Documents released under RTI have revealed it was Saoner MLA Sunil Kedar, himself an accused in Nagpur District Central Cooperative Bank scam case, who pushed for Karajgaonkar's retention at Nagpur.
Faced with his recommendation, the school education department sent a letter to then chief minister Ashok Chavhan seeking directions in the matter. The letter dated July 16, 2010, said Karajgaonkar had been promoted and asked to join at Pune division. It further added that Karajgaonkar had been relieved from his Nagpur position (education officer) on April 12, 2010, but even three months later had failed to report to the new posting.
Meanwhile, Kedar wrote to the government asking that Karajgaonkar be appointed the new deputy director of Nagpur division. The education dept stressed on the fact that the Pune position was still lying vacant and Karajgaonkar had already spent 10 consecutive years in Nagpur. Further, "during his tenure there have been complaints against him (Karajgaonkar) from various quarters. Hence keeping in mind the above mentioned facts should Karajgaonkar be appointed deputy director (Nagpur)," the letter asked.
Clearly, the department was reluctant to keep Karajgaonkar in Nagpur. Still, the letter moved with great speed in Mantralay. Within three days, the then principal secretary (school edu) Sanjay Kumar made the following noting "please accept this", in Karajgaonkar's favour. In another two weeks, the proposal got official sanction and Karajgaonkar was appointed deputy director of education (Nagpur).
When TOI spoke to Sunil Kedar on whether he had lobbied for the controversial officer, Kedar said "I have known Karajgaonkar since my ZP days. He is a friend of mine, I don't remember the details but yes I had written the letter". Karajgaonkar said, "I never asked for Nagpur posting. I never went to Kedar asking for favours. He wrote it on his own. I know many politicians from Kedar to Anil Deshmukh to Devendra Fadnavis. All of them are my friends. But I have never taken undue favour from anyone. Some people are trying to tarnish my image."
Both Ashok Chavan and Sanjay Kumar told TOI they did not remember of this matter. Kumar though confirmed that the letter from Kedar was received by his department but said he was "unable to recall anything further".
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