Mumbai Police registered an FIR against senior NCP leader and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and 70 former functionaries in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) scam case on Monday, on charges of cheating and forgery. This action comes days after the Bombay High Court directed the police to file an offence.

Ajit Pawar served as deputy chief minister from November 10, 2010 to September 26, 2014. Other accused reportedly include Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) leader Jayant Patil and the then directors and senior officials from the superseded bank's units in 34 districts in the state, an official said. "We have registered an offence at MRA Marg police station based on the complaint of Economic Offences Wing," an official informed PTI.