New deputy CM and 4 other NCP stalwarts under ED lens

MUMBAI: At least five prominent faces in deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's team, including himself, are under the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) scanner. The allegations in the money laundering cases against them range from bank loan fraud and corruption to fraudulent land transactions and also transactions linked to late drug smuggler Iqbal Mirchi.

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While investigations against Ajit Pawar, Hasan Mushrif and Praful Patel are at a crucial stage, the case against Dhananjay Munde has not progressed. The ED had filed a chargesheet accusing Ajit Pawar-linked sugar factories of fraud but it omitted mention of his name. Mushrif, on the other hand, told the court that action against him smacked of political conspiracy.

In case of Chhagan Bhujbal, the ED had filed a chargesheet against him which has been pending trial since 2016. Recently, the court discharged Bhujbal and his kin in the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)'s case based on which the ED had investigated its case. The ED's case against him is still pending in court. Speaking to media on Sunday, Bhujbal said "the important case against me is over".

Mushrif, who was recently raided by the ED, recorded his statement in the case after getting interim protection from arrest from the Bombay high court. In his plea before the court challenging the ED case, Mushrif and others stated that "the recent events and the manner in which the Enforcement Case Information Report is registered, clearly indicates mala fide intent". The plea is pending before the court.

Ajit Pawar, who was also under scanner in a money-laundering case connected to purchase of a sugar mill at a throwaway price in Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank case, was not named in the ED chargesheet filed in April. In the chargesheet, the ED named a Mumbai-based paper company which had allegedly entered into financial dealings with another company linked to Ajit Pawar.

In the chargesheet, the ED had said, "Investigation into specific roles and activities of various other persons suspected to be involved in the offence... is likely to take more time." Ajit Pawar was never called for questioning. The ED had also registered a separate money-laundering case against Pawar's close aide Munde in a fraudulent land deal case in Beed district long ago.

Praful Patel, former aviation minister, is facing an ED probe in a money-laundering case connected to late drug smuggler Iqbal Mirchi.