9 Maharashtra irrigation scam probes closed, partial relief for Ajit Pawar

MUMBAI: In what could viewed as partial relief for incumbent Deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra Police’s Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has closed nine complaints over alleged irregularities in awarding of irrigation contracts when Pawar was the irrigation minister.

According to a communique send by the office of the Additional Director General, ACB to the Superintendent of the Amravati wing of the ACB dated November 25, ADGP, ACB, Bipin Singh has asked to close open enquires into nine complaints pertaining to irrigation projects in Washim, Yavatmal, Amravati and Buldhana region for void of evidence.

“The enquiry report from your office has been reviewed by the DG, ACB and in these open enquires/applications if in future any rules laid down by the Government or any guidelines issued by the court these cases could be reopned,” reads the communication reviewed by ET.


Since 2014, the State agency has been probing several irregularities in the awarding of the contracts in the various irrigation projects when Pawar and Sunil Tatkare held the irrigation and water resources portfolio. In all 19 cases have been registered and five chargesheets including two in Gosikhurd and one each in Balganga and Kondhane dam project have been filed by the agency.

Speaking to media, DG, ACB, Parambir Singh said, “We are investigating around 3000 tenders in irrigation related complaints. These are routine inquiries which are closed and all ongoing investigations are continuing as they were earlier”.