The Someshwar Cooperative Sugar Factory election in Pune district has come under scrutiny after former MLA Sanjay Jagtap alleged that money was being distributed to voters from a vehicle near Hol village. Jagtap claimed that the vehicle contained Rs 20 lakh and several packets, and demanded an impartial investigation and action against those responsible.
According to a report by Lokmat – Pune, Jagtap made the allegation at a press conference attended by Someshwar factory chairman Purushottam Jagtap, Sudam Ingle and others. He said activists had received information about alleged cash distribution near the Aath Phata area during the election’s concluding meeting.
Sanjay Jagtap further claimed that, after receiving the information, the sub-divisional police officer and the election returning officer reached the location between about 3 am and 3.15 am. He also said that some candidates were present at the site. These details are based on his account as reported by Lokmat – Pune.
The report does not independently confirm that cash was distributed, that Rs 20 lakh was present in the vehicle, or that any individual violated election rules. It also does not provide the outcome of any seizure, police inquiry or formal election action. The allegations therefore remain subject to official verification.
Jagtap said the alleged cash activity raised questions about transparency in the cooperative election process. He also claimed that two candidates who had previously faced objections from Purushottam Jagtap were present at the location. He alleged that some members were given money despite refusing to accept it.
Purushottam Jagtap separately said he learned about the incident after receiving a call from workers. He alleged that people without a direct connection to the factory election were entering the area and expressed concern about possible misuse of power. He said the election should be conducted transparently and that his group was approaching members on the basis of its work.
The dispute highlights the institutional importance of oversight in cooperative elections, where the returning officer, police authorities and election administration must establish whether campaign conduct breached applicable rules. The supplied report does not state whether a formal complaint, seizure memo, first information report or written order has been issued.
The next significant development will be the findings of any official inquiry and the positions taken by the police, election authorities and the parties named in the allegations. Until those findings are made available, the cash-distribution claim should be treated as an allegation rather than an established fact.
