NCP MLA Rohit Pawar appears before ED for questioning in money laundering probe

NCP MLA Rohit Pawar, grandnephew of Sharad Pawar, appeared before the ED in Mumbai in connection with the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank Scam.

Nationalist Congress Party MLA Rohit Pawar, grandnephew of party chief Sharad Pawar, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in Mumbai on Wednesday for questioning in connection with its money laundering probe into the alleged Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank Scam. Per an official's statement to PTI, the 38-year-old leader was accompanied by his aunt and party MP Supriya Sule and other party leaders till the entrance of probe agency's office. 

The report stated that the MLA reached the ED office in Ballard Estate in South Mumbai around 10.30 am. Prior to arriving at the federal agency's office, he went to party office in the vicinity, met Sharad Pawar and sought his blessings. He also interacted with other party leaders. 

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Before appearing at the ED office, Rohit Pawar met Sharad Pawar at the NCP office#RohitPawar #SharadPawar #NCP pic.twitter.com/paSrwa3eot

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Reportedly, NCP MLA Rohit Pawar also visited Vidhan Bhavan and paid tributes at the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Indian Constitution's plaque. 

Before he entered the ED office, Sule handed Rohit Pawar a copy of the Indian Constitution, hugged him and he sought blessings from her as well before entering the probe agency's office, per PTI report. 

Meanwhile, scores of NCP cadre from across the state gathered outside party office and sloganeered in support of NCP MLA Rohit Pawar and staged a protest against the ED near their office. 

Meanwhile, Rohit Pawar reaffirmed that he has continually cooperated with probe agencies and assured he shall continue to do so. He told PTI, "The officers are doing their job, whatever documents they have demanded, we have given to them. I will appear before them and whatever information they are asking I will give them."

The Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank money laundering case arises from an August 2019 FIR filed by the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing. In connection to the case, ED, on January 5, had conducted searches on Baramati Agro, a firm owned by the Karjat MLA, and several related entities in Baramati, Pune, Aurangabad and other locations.

A Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Bombay High Court which then ordered an investigation. The PIL alleged that sugar plants in Maharashtra cooperative sector were sold fraudulently at throwaway prices.

With PTI inputs

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