X: @the_news_21
In a recent development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken action by attaching assets worth over ₹50 crore belonging to a sugar mill owned by Rohit Pawar, the grandnephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar. Rohit Pawar, a 38-year-old MLA from Karjat-Jamkhed, has emerged as a prominent figure within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after the departure of Ajit Pawar. This move comes amidst ongoing investigations by the ED into a ration scam, for which Rohit Pawar was summoned earlier.
However, Rohit Pawar swiftly responded to the ED’s action by issuing clarifications through a press release dated 08.03.2024. In the release, he refuted the allegations made by the ED, denouncing them as “gross factual errors” driven by political motivations. He emphasized that the assets provisionally attached by the ED belonged to Kannad Sugar Unit owned by Baramati Agro Ltd., and not to him personally.
Furthermore, Rohit Pawar contested the basis of the ED’s investigation, highlighting discrepancies in the agency’s claims regarding the illegal sale of sugar by Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB). He pointed out that the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Maharashtra Police, in its FIR, had not named Baramati Agro Ltd. as an accused and had subsequently filed a closure report, stating that no criminal offense had been established.
Rohit Pawar also clarified the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of assets by Baramati Agro Ltd., asserting that the MSCB was being run by administrators appointed by the Reserve Bank of India at the time of acquisition in 2012. He reiterated his commitment to cooperating with the investigation while reserving the right to take legal action against what he deemed a “mala fide step” by the ED.
In his statement, Rohit Pawar underscored the potential impact of the provisional attachment on the farmers, workers, and other stakeholders associated with the Kannad Sugar Unit. He urged the media to exercise caution in reporting the matter and emphasized his dedication to upholding the principles of justice and adherence to the law.
