Pune: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested former Pune Zilla Parishad Chairman Mangaldas Bandal following extensive raids on his properties in Shirur and Pune.
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.
ED officials raided Bandal's residences in Shikrapur, Shirur Taluka, and Mohammadwadi, Pune, at around 7 a.m. on Tuesday. During the operation, Bandal's wife, Rekha Bandal, along with his two brothers and their families, were interrogated at their Shikrapur residence. Mangaldas Bandal himself was questioned at his bungalow in Mohammadwadi.
The ED's actions have sent shockwaves through the Pune district, with the former Zilla Parishad chairman being taken into custody after 16 hours of intense questioning. He has now been transferred to the ED's office in Mumbai for further investigation.
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.
In a related political development, Bandal's candidacy for the Lok Sabha elections, initially announced by the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, was revoked after he met with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The decision to revoke his candidacy was made by Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi President Prakash Ambedkar.
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.