MSC BANK CASE: EOW DID NOT CONSIDER PROOF, SAYS ACTIVIST

MUMBAI: Social activist Anna Hazare on Saturday claimed before a special anti-corruption bureau (ACB) court that he had on the basis of documentary evidence revealed the involvement of several political leaders in the alleged fraud at Maharashtra State Cooperative (MSC) Bank, but the economic offences wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police “did not even touch the allegations”.

Advocate Satish Talekar submitted that Hazare was the first person to raise the issue of largescale irregularities at MSC Bank, especially with regards to the sale of the mortgaged cooperative sugar factories. Talekar added that on the basis of documentary evidence, Hazare had pointed out to high court the involvement of several political leaders.

However, EOW claimed that there was no evidence of any criminality, without considering the material submitted by the social activist. Talekar was arguing the protest petition filed by Hazare, opposing a report submitted by EOW, seeking to close the criminal case involving elected representatives of almost all political parties in the state in the alleged ₹25,000-crore MSC Bank fraud case.

Hazare approached the court earlier this week pleading it to discard the report, claiming that the closure report is filed under political pressure. He alleged that the report has been filed without taking his statement.

The special court has now posted the matter for further hearing on March 15.