- Nationalist Congress Party's Naresh Arora and DesignBoxed were searched by cops as part of a routine probe
- Ajit Pawar said no objectionable findings and full cooperation was extended to police
- Pune police clarified the action was a document verification, not a major raid or detention
Nationalist Congress Party's Naresh Arora and his election consultancy firm 'DesignBoxed' were searched today, posted party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on social media platform X today. The cops were there to gather information, he said, and all cooperation has been extended to them. Nothing objectionable was found, he also said.
"The Nationalist Congress Party wishes to make it clear that in this entire matter, the party stands firmly behind Mr. Naresh Arora and his organization 'DesignBoxed'," he added urging people not to spread "confusion, rumors, or unnecessary narratives".
Pune police chief Amitesh Kumar, in a statement, said the Crime Branch team did not intend to conduct any major action or raid.
"Based on the preliminary information we received, only an investigation and verification of documents was conducted. No seizures were made, nor was anyone detained," he said. The police clarified that this was a routine procedure and it is incorrect to view it as a "major action".
A statement from DesignBoxed read: "Recent speculation and sensational reporting around our Pune office is misplaced. The visit by officials was part of a routine verification process, during which our team extended full cooperation. DesignBoxed operates with the highest standards of professionalism and compliance, and we remain committed to conducting our work with integrity and transparency at all times."
In a post, senior NCP leader Praful Patel said, "Certain reports around Mr. Naresh Arora and @DesignBoxed are being unnecessarily sensationalised. The facts are clear - authorities sought routine information, full cooperation was extended, and nothing objectionable was found. The NCP stands firmly with @nishuarora and his organisation. We respect the rule of law and urge everyone to rely on facts, not speculation or manufactured narratives".
The search comes amid the tussle between the NCP and ally BJP on the matter of Nawab Malik. While the BJP demanded that the corruption accused leader be dropped from all party positions, Ajit Pawar has flatly refused, saying nothing has been proved against him.
The NCP is now contesting the civic elections solo and Ajit Pawar has said that there is no question of any post-poll alliance with the BJP in the civic body.
The operation against 'DesignBoxed' comes on the heels of searches at the Bengal offices of I-PAC, the political consultancy agency started by election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor - and its chief Pratik Jain. The searches, conducted by the Enforcement Directorate last week, have sparked a huge row and the matter has reached the courts.
The ED has alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and officials of her government have stopped them from carrying out searches and seized material linked to the investigation into an alleged coal smuggling scam.
