ED files chargesheet against Maharashtra MLA, 7 others in money laundering case

Special Judge R N Rokade on Thursday issued summons against the eight accused including MLA Gutte.

The ED has alleged that between 2012-13 to 2016-17, Gutte, an MLA from the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha in Gangakhed constituency of Maharashtra’s Parbhani district, through Gangakhed Sugar had tied up with seven banks to obtain agricultural loans for farmers.

The ED also alleged that Gutte and his associates collected data from farmers including their PAN cards and property documents while buying their crops. A data bank was created by collecting their KYC (know your customer) details.

The chargesheet alleges that the banks had sanctioned Rs 772.31 crore out of which Rs 635.89 crore was disbursed into fictitious accounts created in the name of farmers and siphoned off. The chargesheet states that so far Rs 272 crore was pending for repayment.

The ED has attached 22 immovable properties, bank accounts and other movable properties worth Rs 255 crore in connection with the case.