Pune: After three years behind bars, former MLA Anil Bhosale has been granted bail by the High Court in the Shivajirao Bhosale Cooperative Bank scam case.
However, his legal troubles may continue, as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Mangaldas Bandal, a former Pune Zilla Parishad official, in connection with the same case.
The Shivajirao Bhosale Cooperative Bank scam, involving a misappropriation of approximately ₹436.44 crore, was exposed, leading the Pune Police’s Economic Offences Wing to take action.
Bhosale was arrested three years ago in this case. On September 6, 2021, the police filed an 8,000-page charge sheet against seven individuals, including the bank's managers, Bhosale, and Bandal, accusing them of conspiracy and defrauding borrowers and investors. Bhosale, Bandal, and other accused have been in jail since their arrest.
Bandal was released on bail a few months ago, while Bhosale's bail pleas were rejected four times by the sessions court, prompting him to approach the High Court, which granted him bail with certain conditions.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the ED conducted raids at Mangaldas Bandal's residences in Shikrapur and Mohammadwadi. After 16 hours of questioning, the ED arrested him and took him to Mumbai.
The raids, which began early Tuesday (August 20) morning, resulted in the seizure of ₹5.6 crore in cash, five luxury cars, and wristwatches worth ₹1 crore.
Sources indicate that the ED may also summon Bhosale for further questioning, suggesting that Bhosale's legal troubles may not be over yet.