Rohit Pawar and several others accused in the alleged MSC Bank fraud case have approached a special court seeking discharge in the connected money laundering case.
The move comes days after the special court for MPs and MLAs accepted the closure report filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in the alleged bank fraud investigation.
The case had earlier been used by the Enforcement Directorate as the predicate offence to begin a probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Several NCP Leaders Seek Relief
Along with Rohit Pawar, his close associate and businessman Rajendra Ingwale has also filed an application seeking discharge from the case.
Other leaders who have approached the court include Prajakt Tanpure and Subhash Deshmukh.
The applications have also been filed on behalf of firms linked to the accused.
All the accused have argued that the money laundering case cannot continue now that the main fraud investigation has been closed.
Court Accepted EOW Closure Report
The Economic Offences Wing had filed a closure report in the case after completing its investigation.
According to court records, the agency had submitted the closure report twice before the special court.
Last month, the court accepted both closure reports and rejected objections raised by the Enforcement Directorate and the complainants who had opposed the closure of the case.
This development significantly weakened the basis of the money laundering investigation launched by the ED.
Defence Argument: Case Cannot Continue
Rohit Pawar approached the court through his lawyer Kushal Mor on Friday.
The defence has argued that since the original fraud case — considered the predicate offence — has been closed by the court, the money laundering case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cannot legally survive.
Under the law, a money laundering case usually depends on the existence of a primary offence. If the main offence is dismissed or closed, the related PMLA proceedings may also collapse.
Key Legal Battle Expected Ahead
The Enforcement Directorate had earlier opposed the closure report filed by the EOW and objected to the termination of the original case.
Legal experts say the court will now examine whether the ED’s money laundering case can continue independently despite the closure of the predicate offence.
The hearing is expected to be closely watched, as the outcome could determine the future of the case involving Rohit Pawar and other leaders linked to the MSC Bank investigation.
