Pune: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized assets worth ₹85 crore from Mangaldas Bandal, the former Chairman of the Construction Committee of the Pune Zilla Parishad.
The seized properties are located across Pune, Solapur, and Ahmednagar districts. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering activities linked to Bandal.
On August 21, the ED conducted raids at Bandal's residences in Shikrapur and Mohammadwadi. During the raids, the ED officials seized crucial documents and obtained information related to Bandal's bank accounts. Following these actions, Bandal was arrested by the ED.
Bandal had already faced legal action from the Pune Police under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) for allegedly threatening a well-known jeweler. Additionally, Bandal was implicated in the Shivajirao Bhosale Bank fraud case.
In the political sphere, Bandal had contested the Lok Sabha elections under the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi party, but his candidacy was canceled due to his criminal background.
Mangaldas Bandal is a key figure in the ongoing Shivajirao Bhosale Cooperative Bank fraud case. His arrest is believed to be connected to this case, in which he is a primary accused.
Bandal has a history of legal troubles, having been previously arrested on May 26, 2021, in connection with the same bank fraud case. He spent 20 months in jail before being granted bail ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Bandal is a significant political figure in Shirur Haveli and was reportedly preparing to contest in the upcoming assembly elections.
