The case stems from a 2019 first information report (FIR) by the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing, which alleged the fraudulent sale of cooperative sugar factories (Sahakari Sakhar Kharkhanas) by MSCB officials to private entities at undervalued prices
Rohit Pawar represents the Karjat-Jamkhed constituency in Ahilyanagar district. File pic
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) legislator Rohit Pawar on Saturday refuted allegations of wrongdoing after he was named an accused by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) money laundering case. The Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Karjat-Jamkhed constituency in Ahilyanagar district claimed that he was being targeted for political reasons and vowed to contest the matter legally, PTI reported.
Pawar was recently named in the chargesheet filed by the ED in a special court in Mumbai. The case stems from a 2019 first information report (FIR) by the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing, which alleged the fraudulent sale of cooperative sugar factories (Sahakari Sakhar Kharkhanas) by MSCB officials to private entities at undervalued prices.
One such unit, Kannad SSK in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, was acquired by Baramati Agro Ltd — a company linked to Pawar. The ED claims that the bank, seeking to recover an unpaid loan of Rs 80.56 crore, took possession of the mill in 2009 under the SARFAESI Act and later auctioned it in 2012 at a “very low” reserve price, based on a questionable valuation report.
According to the ED, two other parties also entered the bidding process, but the highest bidder was disqualified on flimsy grounds, while the remaining bidder was allegedly a close associate of Baramati Agro with no credible experience, reported PTI.
Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar said, “When the FIR was registered, 97 individuals were named — my name wasn’t among them. The sugar mill was under an administrator’s control before Baramati Agro acquired it through a transparent tender process.”
He added that, despite all others being set aside, the ED continued to pursue him. “I was questioned for 12 hours, and ED officers even visited the mill. They found everything in order. I have full faith in the judicial process,” he said.
Dismissing the case as politically motivated, Pawar remarked, “Of the 97 named, many are now part of the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), or Ajit Pawar’s NCP. I am being singled out because I speak out against the government.”
“I am not afraid. This is a battle of ideology. We are Marathi people — we do not bow before Delhi,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
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