Anti Corruption Bureau wants to probe Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Harshvardhan Patil

The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has sought permission for an open inquiry from the government to probe state cooperation minister Harshvardhan Patil in an alleged case of corruption and misappropriation
in Dhule district.

What are the allegations?
As per the complaint made by MLA Anil Gote, the minister, along with cooperation department officials, ex ministers and board of directors of the Dhule District Central (DDC) Co-op Bank, were involved in corruption and misappropriation of about Rs144 crore in the bank. The complainant has alleged that the bank has run into heavy losses because of sanctioning of unsecured loans to cooperative bodies and due to several other financial irregularities in which the minister and the others were directly involved over the past ten years.

What does the complainant say?
Gote said: "The bank has nine lakh members, most of whom are tribals and small farmers. Amrish Patel, the ex-director of the bank, who is also a suspected accused in a case handled by CBI, had misused his powers and sanctioned loans worth Rs166 crore to his own company, Priyadarshini Cotton Co-op Society, which was running losses. The company, at that time, owed Rs304 crore to different banks. In spite of that, the bank gave away the loan under a new provision called Cotton Folder. That apart, he also sanctioned Rs4.5 crore cash credit without surety to Amoda Oil Seed Society which is run by his family. Former MLA Rajwardhan Kadambade's involvement in money laundering is also serious."
According to Gote, all this was done with the knowledge of Patil and officials in his office.

Rs114 crore not recovered
The complaint also said that the bank has not been able to recover Rs144.26 crore from several agencies after it gave away loans by irregular means. "Due to this, the non-performing asset of DDC bank has allegedly increased by 40%. That apart, the bank has allegedly appointed Dhiraj Chaudhary as its managing director, who is already facing corruption charge against him," added Gote.
He also said that despite repeatedly keeping Patil and his officials in the loop, his complaints went unheard and the bank authorities have been receiving support from Patil for misappropriation, money laundering and corruption.

Whom does the complaint name?
The complaint has named Patil, Kadambade, Patel and seven other people including the Board of Directors of the bank, the CEO, Cooperative Department officials including the Principal Secretary and other authorities concerned of the ministry.

What's ACB's reaction?
Gote approached the Anti Corruption Bureau and the Dhule District Superintendent of Police. ACB Director General Pravin Dixit recently issued a letter to the government to investigate the matter and grant permission for inquiry. DG of ACB, Pravin Dixit, said, "We have received the complaint from Gore. We have sent our preliminary reports to the government and have requested them to grant permission for open inquiry to probe the matter thoroughly. Once the request is granted, we will take necessary action."