Nitin Gadkari has got a clean chit from the finance ministry over his investments in the Purti Power and Sugar Limites. The income tax issued a statement on Monday paving the way for his induction into the Union Council  of Ministers in the event of NDA forming government. This comes as a great relief to Gadkari.

Gadkari had come under attack over investments into his company Purti Power and Sugar Limited and its shareholding pattern. Media reports have claimed that Gadkari was the chairman of PPSL until he resigned and now holds only 310 shares in the company. Now, people close to him control Purti shares.

Quoting Registrar of Companies records, media reports said that three major shareholders of Purti Group - Vidya Buildcon Private Ltd, Sanobar Infrastructure Private Ltd and Roller Multitrade Private Ltd - were registered in an office situated on the second floor of a building in Mumbai's Fort area. It was, however, found that the office was the headquarters of various companies belonging to the well-known Somani Group.

PPSL is currently headed by Sudhir Wamanrao Diwe as its managing director since April, 2005. He was a tehsildar in Nagpur district and came on deputation as the personal assistant of Gadkari during the latter's tenure as PWD minister. He also became Gadkari's personal secretary before taking over the reins of Purti Group.