Pune: Former Sarpanch Accused of ₹12 Crore Scam In Mulshi’s Ambavane Village, Inquiry Demanded
Pune: Former Sarpanch Accused of ₹12 Crore Scam In Mulshi’s Ambavane Village, Inquiry Demanded
Pune, January 21, 2025: Members of the Ambavane Gram Panchayat in Mulshi Taluka have demanded a thorough government inquiry into allegations of corruption against former Sarpanch Machhindra Chandrakant Karale. They claim he misappropriated funds amounting to several crores during his tenure from 2018 to 2023.
Key accusations include misusing ₹1.26 crore allocated for marginalized communities, ₹20.57 lakh from funds meant for differently-abled persons, and ₹5.46 crore designated for concrete road projects. Additionally, a ₹27 lakh road project was falsely documented but never constructed, raising suspicions of systematic embezzlement.
Deputy Sarpanch Nilesh Laxman Mengde, along with other Gram Panchayat members, highlighted these irregularities in a press conference. They alleged that Karale’s wife, Shita Machhindra Karale, who currently holds the position of Sarpanch, is actively attempting to suppress the matter.
Further Allegations
- Fraudulent Practices: Mengde stated that over ₹10–12 crore worth of projects executed during Karale’s tenure are under suspicion, including inflated expenses and the absence of proper tenders.
- Extortion and Intimidation: Member Sunil Hundare accused Karale of collecting bribes for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and threatening villagers with false cases. Karale was previously caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in a bribery case.
- Unauthorized Transactions: Member Komal Phatak revealed that Karale exploited activities such as events at Aamby Valley and film shoots within village limits to extort money, issuing threats if demands were unmet.
- Misuse of Funds: Member Akshara Dalvi alleged that funds meant for welfare schemes were diverted to personal businesses, including using Gram Panchayat resources for private concrete projects.
Despite repeated appeals for action, no stringent measures have been taken against Karale, fueling concerns of administrative collusion. Gram Panchayat members urged the government to appoint a special inquiry committee and take strict action to recover misappropriated funds while ensuring accountability.
The situation underscores growing concerns about corruption in local governance, where those entrusted with village development misuse resources for personal gain.
