EOW Clears Ajit Pawar’s Wife Sunetra Pawar in Alleged ₹25,000 Cr MSCB Scam

Mumbai: In a major relief for Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NDA candidate for the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, the Mumbai Police has cleared her in an alleged ₹25,000-crore cooperative bank scam.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police, investigating the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) case, filed a closure report in January, stating no criminal offence is evident in transactions involving Mrs. Pawar and her husband.

This comes amidst the backdrop of Mrs. Pawar’s candidacy in Baramati, a stronghold of Sharad Pawar, where she will face her sister-in-law Supriya Sule.

The opposition has criticized the clean chit, citing it as another example of the BJP’s alleged use of central agencies and police forces to target opposition leaders.

Ajit Pawar’s alignment with the BJP and Shiv Sena coalition last year has added to the political complexities. The EOW’s report mentions transactions related to Jarandeshwar Sugar Mill, linked to Ajit Pawar, where no wrongdoing was found.

However, the Shiv Sena has criticized the clean chit, aligning it with their narrative of the BJP’s alleged selective use of investigative agencies. The upcoming Baramati Lok Sabha polls, scheduled for May 7, will further test the political dynamics in Maharashtra.