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Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the alleged Rs 25,000 crore Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) 'scam' case by the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW).

This development comes as she gears up to contest the Baramati Lok Sabha seat as the ruling NDA's surprise candidate.

According to the closure report filed by the EOW, there was no evidence of criminality or misconduct in the matter. It further stated that the bank involved did not incur any losses during the loan sanctioning process or the sale of the Jarandeshwar Sugar Mill.

The timing of this clean chit is significant, especially amidst renewed accusations from opposition leaders, particularly the INDIA coalition, who have alleged a 'washing machine' approach by the BJP-led government. They claim that probe agencies tend to slow down investigations against dissident leaders once they switch sides and join the ruling party.

As per the EOW report, Sunetra Pawar resigned from her position as director of Jai Agrotech in 2008. Subsequently, the firm allocated funds to the Jarandeshwar Sugar Mill, which was later acquired by Guru Commodity through auction. The sugar mill, leased by Jarandeshwar, paid rent to Guru Commodity, whose director is reportedly related to Ajit Pawar.

In response to the clean chit, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey criticised the BJP, highlighting the case as an example of selective targeting of opposition leaders. He claimed that those who join the BJP often receive clean chits, while dissenters face harassment and legal action.

Dubey emphasised the need for fair treatment regardless of political affiliation, criticising what he perceived as a pattern of intimidation and favouritism by central investigating agencies. He concluded by questioning the fairness of such practices in a democratic system.