Mumbai News: Shiv Sena–MNS Tie-Up For BEST Credit Society Polls Amid ₹12.41 Crore Fraud Inquiry

Mumbai: Even as political circles speculate about a possible Shiv Sena–MNS alliance for the upcoming BMC elections, a similar partnership has already taken shape for the polls to the BEST Employees’ Co-operative Credit Society Ltd., scheduled for August 18. The BEST Kamgar Sena (aligned with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena) and the MNS BEST Kamgar Sena have joined forces for these society elections.

EOW Probes ₹12.41 Crore Misappropriation Allegation

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has launched a preliminary inquiry into alleged misappropriation of ₹12.41 crore by the society’s board of directors.

Complaint Filed by Badlapur Resident

According to a complaint filed by Rajendra Babruwahan Gore, a resident of Ganesh Nagar, Rameshwadi, Badlapur, Thane, the alleged fraud involves eight office bearers of the society’s ‘Parivartan Panel’ — Umesh Shree Sarang, Bhivaji Sawant, Kirtan S. Kori, Raju D. Sasane, Bhaskar P. Toraskar, Pramod G. Rane, Sanjay Bhager, and Lalit Parab.

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Lonavala Property Purchase Under Scrutiny

The complaint alleges that the accused, acting beyond their jurisdiction and without mandatory permission from the registrar, purchased a guest house property in Lonavala. While the ready reckoner rate determined by the Deputy Registrar was ₹5,63,13,492, the property was purchased for ₹18,04,84,200. It is alleged that the builder was paid ₹12,41,70,708 in excess causing wrongful loss to the society and wrongful gain to the accused.

Verification in Progress

The EOW is currently examining the complaint and financial documents to determine whether a criminal case should be registered.