Palghar: In a major development, the Bombay High Court has ordered the release of former Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) commissioner Anil Pawar, declaring his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as “illegal.” Pawar, a senior IAS officer, was taken into custody by the ED in August this year for allegedly accepting bribes amounting to ₹169 crore during his tenure as the civic chief from January 2022 to July 2025.

“We have formed an opinion that as on August 13, 2025, the arresting officer has no such material as required under section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (reason to believe that person is guilty of offence)," the HC said.

"We mean that there is no tangible material and the whole case of ED is based on statement of certain architects and devel

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