ED register money laundering case in irrigation scam, involving Ajit Pawar

Vijay V Singh | TNN | May 1, 2020, 20:36 IST

MUMBAI: Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a money laundering case in Vidharbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) scam involving deputy chief minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar.
ED was examining the documents and FIRs registered in the scam by state anti-corruption bureau (ACB) since last few month and recently registered the money laundering case. The ED named all those in the case , who were earlier investigated by ACB.
Ajit Pawar was one of the accused in the scam along with others. ACB had given him clean chit after change of power in Maharashtra.
In November, Shiv Sena formed government in Maharashtra along with NCP and Congress. Ajit Pawar (NCP) become deputy chief minister in the Shiv Sena led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
Within two months of new government, ACB has filed an affidavit in high court giving clean chit to Ajit Pawar. The affidavit stated that there was no material evidence against Ajit Pawar.
In 2014, BJP-Shiv Sena formed the government in Maharashtra after defeating Congress-NCP alliance and BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis became chief minister. But after 2019 assembly election, BJP-Shiv Sena separated over share of power in new government. Shiv Sena team up with Congress and NCP to form the Udhav Thackeray led new government.
The ACB was investigating the irrigation scam since 2014, where it was alleged that during Congress-NCP government regime dam construction tenders were allotted after violating the norms. Ajit Pawar was irrigation minister when the tenders were allotted.