Rohit Pawar Calls ED Action Politically Motivated, Vows Legal Fight in Alleged MSCB Scam
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) leader and sitting MLA #RohitPawar has strongly refuted the allegations levelled against him by the #EnforcementDirectorate (ED) in connection with the high-profile #MaharashtraStateCooperativeBank (MSCB) scam, asserting that he is being unfairly targeted for political reasons.
Addressing the media on Saturday, Pawar declared his innocence, stating that he has done “nothing wrong” and vowed to fight the case legally until he is vindicated. He also questioned the timing and motives behind the ED’s action, calling it a clear case of political targeting.
ED Names Pawar in Chargesheet Despite 97 Others in FIR
The #ED recently named Rohit Pawar as an accused in its chargesheet filed in a special court in Mumbai. The move stems from a money laundering case linked to an August 2019 FIR registered by the Mumbai Police’s #EconomicOffencesWing (EOW).
The FIR alleged serious irregularities in the sale of cooperative sugar factories (Sahakari Sakhar Kharkhana or SSKs) at artificially low prices by officials and directors of the MSCB.
The complaint claimed that the assets were sold without proper procedure, and were often acquired by individuals or entities with close political or personal links to those in power at the time.
Among them was the Kannad SSK, located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which was acquired by #BaramatiAgroLtd, a company associated with Rohit Pawar.
The ED alleged that the MSCB, in its effort to recover an unpaid loan of ₹80.56 crore from Kannad SSK, took control of the mill’s assets under the #SARFAESI Act in July 2009. The property was auctioned in August 2012, allegedly at a very low reserve price, based on a questionable valuation report.
According to the ED, while three entities participated in the bidding, the highest bidder was disqualified on flimsy grounds. Another participant was allegedly a close business partner of Baramati Agro and lacked both financial credentials and relevant industry experience.
Baramati Agro ultimately acquired the mill, which the ED claims was through dubious and non-transparent means.
Pawar Denies Allegations, Says Purchase Was Through Proper Channel
Responding to the charges, Rohit Pawar emphasized that #dueprocess was followed during the acquisition. He clarified that at the time of the auction, the sugar mill was being run by an administrator appointed due to the absence of an elected board. The tender was floated by the administrator, not any political body or individual, he said.
He highlighted that the original FIR named 97 people, including politicians across party lines, but the ED chose to single him out for scrutiny, despite not initially being named in the case.
Many of those named in the FIR are now aligned with the #BJP, the #EknathShinde-ledShivSena, or the #AjitPawar-ledNCP, Pawar pointed out.
“In 2024, I was summoned by the ED on two occasions. I fully cooperated with the investigation. I spent more than 12 hours being questioned and handed over all necessary documents. They even came and inspected the mill. Yet, despite full cooperation, I am the only one being charged,” he said.
He further stated that while the ED has taken symbolic possession of the mill, he continues to manage its operations, ensuring that no farmer associated with it faces any difficulty.
‘Battle of Ideology’ and Political Vendetta, Says Pawar
Lashing out at what he described as a politically motivated campaign, Pawar said,
“There is a deliberate attempt to isolate and take action against me. This is a clear case of political vendetta. I am being punished for raising my voice in the ongoing monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature. Unlike others, I refuse to remain silent.”
He said he was confident that the judiciary would deliver justice and that the facts would come out during the trial. “Now that the #chargesheet has been filed, the matter lies with the #judiciary. We were waiting for this step so we can pursue legal remedies. I believe in the system, and I will prove my innocence in court,” Pawar added.
He also invoked regional pride, saying,
“We are #MarathiPeople. We don’t bend to pressure from Delhi. We do not run away. I am here to fight, and I will fight till the end.”
Calling it a “battle of ideology,” Pawar took a veiled dig at other leaders who may have switched sides or backed down under pressure. “Some may have chosen to flee, but I will stand and fight. This is not just about me—it is about what kind of politics and justice system we want in this country.”
Political Undercurrents Continue as ED Tightens Grip
With the ED continuing its probe into financial irregularities involving sugar mills and cooperative institutions in Maharashtra, the case has once again stirred debate about selective targeting, especially of those in opposition parties.
Pawar’s vocal criticism of the government and his high-profile political lineage—being the grandnephew of #SharadPawar—has led many to question whether the case is purely legal in nature or also carries political undertones ahead of upcoming electoral battles.
