NCP legislator and grandnephew of Sharad Pawar, Rohit Pawar, is scheduled to appear before the Enforcement Directorate today for questioning in Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) case. Pics/ Shadab Khan
Updated On: 2024-01-24 10:25 AM IST
Compiled by : Sanjana Deshpande
Pawar will be arriving at the federal probe agency's Mumbai office. He was summoned in connection with the alleged fraudulent disbursal of loan amounting to Rs 25,000 crore.
Ahead of his appearance, the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) cadre along with MP Supriya Sule, reached the ED office in a show of strength.
They have staged a protest outside the agency's office and the security has been beefed up in the area ahead of Rohit Pawar's questioning.
Rohit Pawar has affirmed his willingness to cooperate with the ED. He voiced that if ED takes any "wrong actions" against him, everyone must stand united with Sharad Pawar and anyone upholding the self-respect of Maharashtra and adhering to the Constitution.
A poster circulating on social media added tension to the situation. The poster, featuring the NCP MLA, called on people to gather at the ED office to mark their protest.
The Maharashtra State Cooperative (MSC) Bank scam case revolves around the alleged fraudulent disbursal of loans amounting to Rs 25,000 crore.
A PIL was filed in Bombay High Court which alleged that some sugar mills defaulted on loans given without due diligence, leading to their attachment and auction to various bank office bearers and politicians. The Bombay High Court, acting on the PIL, ordered the registration of a case, initiating investigations.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) under the Maharashtra government initially investigated the case. However, when the EOW filed a closure report in 2020, the ED filed an intervention petition against it and commenced its investigation.