What Steps Is the Maharashtra Government Taking Against Bank Corruption?

Mumbai, July 14 (NationPress) In a significant move, Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam announced on Monday the initiation of a thorough investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) regarding the corruption case linked to the North Canara Gaud Saraswat Co-op Bank.

Responding to a motion raised by BJP legislators Prasad Lad and Pravin Darekar, the minister disclosed that the Managing Director, staff members of North Canara Gaud Saraswat Co-operative Bank, and the Chief Financial Officer of UB Engineering allegedly colluded to reopen a bank account that had been closed by the company in the Girgaum branch between 2018 and 2021. This was done using a fraudulent letter from the Chief Financial Officer, which allowed them to alter the signatory authority and execute financial transactions.

Moreover, the minister revealed that there have been allegations of misappropriating Rs 1.83 crore in this context. Due to the involvement of a police officer in the investigation who has ties to the bank, the entire case will be scrutinized by the ACB.

During his address on the financial discrepancies within the bank, Minister Kadam emphasized that no concrete evidence linking the Senior Police Inspector to any illicit financial activities was uncovered during the investigation.

However, the former Senior Police Inspector failed to properly guide the inquiry into the complaints lodged in this case. As a result, administrative actions have been taken against him for negligence.

Kadam noted that the Rs 1.83 crore that was frozen in the bank was illegally released and withdrawn. This issue came to light during a Reserve Bank audit, prompting the bank to return the full amount with interest. Consequently, the Reserve Bank of India imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the implicated bank.

A case has been filed against the former General Manager of the bank and his wife, who is the chairman of the bank. Following the complaints, a forensic audit has been conducted on 47 cases, with investigations currently ongoing.

In another matter, the Minister of State for Home (Rural), Pankaj Bhoyar, announced that a special investigation team (SIT) will probe the transportation of approximately 57,000 kg of beef in two large containers in Kusgaon, Pune.

This announcement was made in response to a calling attention motion by BJP member Shrikant Bharatiya and Shiv Sena UBT member Anil Parab.

Bhoyar stated that initial investigations have indicated that Asian Foods Micro Pvt. Ltd., a company based in Hyderabad, is involved in the beef transportation. The state government is calling upon the central government to revoke the license issued to this company through APEDA.

“The owners of the company are implicated in this case. One of them has been arrested and released on bail, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the second suspect. There are considerations to apply the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against those who repeatedly engage in such smuggling activities. If convicted a third time, MCOCA will be enforced. Additionally, during the upcoming session, the government will review the introduction of a separate law to combat beef smuggling,” he continued.

Bhoyar also mentioned that if any false charges have been filed against cow vigilantes working for societal welfare, these will be reassessed, and the government may consider dismissing such cases.

Furthermore, he revealed that between 2022 and 2025, 2,849 cases have been recorded pertaining to the slaughter, transportation, and sale of bovine animals, leading to the arrest of 4,677 individuals. Additionally, 1,724 tonnes of meat have been confiscated.