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Apex Bank Scam Case: Decide on Discharge Pleas of Rohit Pawar and Other Accused Based on Merits, ED Requests Special Court
Apex Bank Scam: Adjudicate on Rohit Pawar's Discharge Petition by Examining 'Merits,' ED Demands in Mumbai Special Court
Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has requested a special court in Mumbai to decide on the discharge applications filed by NCP MLA Rohit Pawar—an accused in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (Apex Bank) money laundering case—and 11 other co-accused, strictly in accordance with legal criteria (i.e., based on merits).
In a submission filed before the court, the ED clarified that its attempts to oppose the closure report filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police have failed. Consequently, the court should now hear arguments regarding the discharge applications and deliver a verdict based on the merits of the case.
**Background of the Case**
This case pertains to the alleged ?25,000 crore Apex Bank scam. The scam involves 31 District Central Cooperative Banks, which were under the control of influential politicians. It is alleged that these banks disbursed loans to cooperative sugar factories in violation of established regulations.
The EOW had filed its first closure report in 2020, stating that no criminal offense could be substantiated. The investigation was reopened in 2022, and a second closure report was filed in 2024. The ED had filed an intervention application to oppose this closure report; however, in February 2026, the special court accepted the closure report and dismissed the ED's intervention application.
**The ED's Stance**
The ED has now acknowledged that, given the failure of its efforts to oppose the EOW's closure report, it would be appropriate to proceed with a decision on the discharge applications filed by Rohit Pawar and the other accused strictly on the basis of merits. The ED had previously filed a chargesheet against 17 individuals in connection with this case. The Special Court has adjourned the hearing on arguments regarding the discharge applications in this case until April 13, 2026.
This development is considered significant in the Apex Bank scam case, as the ED has now sought a decision based on the merits of the case rather than on technical grounds.
Apex Bank Scam: Adjudicate on Rohit Pawar's Discharge Petition by Examining 'Merits,' ED Demands in Mumbai Special Court
Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has requested a special court in Mumbai to decide on the discharge applications filed by NCP MLA Rohit Pawar—an accused in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (Apex Bank) money laundering case—and 11 other co-accused, strictly in accordance with legal criteria (i.e., based on merits).
In a submission filed before the court, the ED clarified that its attempts to oppose the closure report filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police have failed. Consequently, the court should now hear arguments regarding the discharge applications and deliver a verdict based on the merits of the case.
**Background of the Case**
This case pertains to the alleged ?25,000 crore Apex Bank scam. The scam involves 31 District Central Cooperative Banks, which were under the control of influential politicians. It is alleged that these banks disbursed loans to cooperative sugar factories in violation of established regulations.
The EOW had filed its first closure report in 2020, stating that no criminal offense could be substantiated. The investigation was reopened in 2022, and a second closure report was filed in 2024. The ED had filed an intervention application to oppose this closure report; however, in February 2026, the special court accepted the closure report and dismissed the ED's intervention application.
**The ED's Stance**
The ED has now acknowledged that, given the failure of its efforts to oppose the EOW's closure report, it would be appropriate to proceed with a decision on the discharge applications filed by Rohit Pawar and the other accused strictly on the basis of merits. The ED had previously filed a chargesheet against 17 individuals in connection with this case. The Special Court has adjourned the hearing on arguments regarding the discharge applications in this case until April 13, 2026.
This development is considered significant in the Apex Bank scam case, as the ED has now sought a decision based on the merits of the case rather than on technical grounds.
Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has requested a special court in Mumbai to decide on the discharge applications filed by NCP MLA Rohit Pawar—an accused in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (Apex Bank) money laundering case—and 11 other co-accused, strictly in accordance with legal criteria (i.e., based on merits).
In a submission filed before the court, the ED clarified that its attempts to oppose the closure report filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police have failed. Consequently, the court should now hear arguments regarding the discharge applications and deliver a verdict based on the merits of the case.
**Background of the Case**
This case pertains to the alleged ?25,000 crore Apex Bank scam. The scam involves 31 District Central Cooperative Banks, which were under the control of influential politicians. It is alleged that these banks disbursed loans to cooperative sugar factories in violation of established regulations.
The EOW had filed its first closure report in 2020, stating that no criminal offense could be substantiated. The investigation was reopened in 2022, and a second closure report was filed in 2024. The ED had filed an intervention application to oppose this closure report; however, in February 2026, the special court accepted the closure report and dismissed the ED's intervention application.
**The ED's Stance**
The ED has now acknowledged that, given the failure of its efforts to oppose the EOW's closure report, it would be appropriate to proceed with a decision on the discharge applications filed by Rohit Pawar and the other accused strictly on the basis of merits. The ED had previously filed a chargesheet against 17 individuals in connection with this case. The Special Court has adjourned the hearing on arguments regarding the discharge applications in this case until April 13, 2026.
This development is considered significant in the Apex Bank scam case, as the ED has now sought a decision based on the merits of the case rather than on technical grounds.
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