TNI Bureau: The recent revelations made NDTV and the Times of India have put BJP President Nitin Gadkari in a tight spot. The BJP was left red-faced with the exposure that hint at corporate fraud by the BJP President and his company.

The TOI report revealed the benami transactions between Gadkari’s firm Purti Power and Sugal Ltd and other groups between 1995 and 1999. Purti reportedly received Rs 164 crore loan from Ideal Road Builders (IRB) Group, which in return received huge contracts in Maharashtra when Gadkari was the PWD Minister in the state.

Questions have been raised over 16 other shell companies, which funded Purti Group. Some of them have addresses in jhuggis (slums)! Many of the addresses of firms registered with the ROC could not be verified.

Another revealation showed that directors of these companies, who invested in Purti Group, included Gadkari’s driver, his accountant and two employees of Purti!!!

The Congress has maintained silence over the latest exposure. However, Union Minister for Corporate Affairs, Veerappa Moily has promised a probe into the allegations.