Rohit Pawar Cleared in Massive Maharashtra Bank Scam Case

A special court has discharged NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar and other accused in an alleged Rs 25,000 crore scam linked to the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSCB). The case was initially tied to money laundering allegations made by the Enforcement Directorate.

Judge Mahesh Jadhav, presiding over the special court for MPs and MLAs, emphasized that a money laundering charge cannot hold without a 'predicate' offense. Citing a Supreme Court ruling, he highlighted that the acceptance of a closure report by a competent court in the predicate offense equates to acquittal.

The case, originally initiated by an August 2019 FIR from the Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai Police, alleged fraudulent sales of cooperative sugar mills. With the closure report accepted, further action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act remains untenable unless revived by a higher court order.

(With inputs from agencies.)