Maharashtra: Ajit Pawar not named in ED chargesheet in company case

MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate has submitted a chargesheet against a company linked to former deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar and his wife Sunetra in court recently in the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSCB) scam. However, the ED has not named the couple as accused in the chargesheet.
The court is yet to take cognizance of the charges, and the next date of hearing is April 19. ED officials declined to comment on the chargesheet and the reasons for not naming the Pawar couple.
A source said ED will continue its investigation against the "remaining individuals" associated with the companies named in the chargesheet, including the Pawar couple, and may file a separate chargesheet against them. During investigation, Ajit Pawar was never summoned by ED for his statement.
In July 2021, ED had attached the properties, including land, building and machinery of Jarandeshwar Co-operative Sugar Mill collectively worth Rs 65 crore (purchase price in 2010) in the case. After the attachment, ED had issued a press release stating "the assets are currently held in the name of Guru Commodity Services and leased to Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Pvt Ltd. Sparkling Soil Pvt Ltd is holding majority shares of Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Pvt Ltd. Investigations revealed that Sparkling Soil is a related company to Ajit Pawar, (then) deputy chief minister and Sunetra Ajit Pawar." ED had also alleged the mill has been used as a vehicle by Jarandeshwar Sugar Mills Pvt Ltd company for obtaining Rs 700 crore loan from Pune District Central Co-operative Bank (headed by Ajit Pawar) and others.
In March 2022, the adjudicating authority, appointed under PMLA, had confirmed attachment of the mill and its properties. After the attachment confirmation, ED was supposed to file a chargesheet against companies and persons involved within a year. The ED submitted the chargesheet in court last month.
The ED has alleged MSCB had auctioned the mill in 2010 at an undervalued price. Ajit Pawar was on the board of directors of MSCB then. The mill was purchased by Guru Commodity Services.