Even as he participated in the NEDAC General Assembly in Mombasa, Kenya, as part of the International Year of Cooperatives, NCUI President Dileep Sanghani received a significant legal reprieve back home. The lingering case against him from his tenure as Gujarat’s State Minister in 2008 has been dismissed by the Supreme Court of India.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court discharged Sanghani from all charges related to a 2008 fishing contracts scam of Rs 400 crore. His name was added to the case in 2013, years after the initial complaint was filed against then MoS, Fisheries, Parshottam Solanki.
Sanghani, who also chairs IFFCO and GUJCOMASOL, moved the Supreme Court in October 2024 after the Gujarat High Court rejected his discharge application in July 2024. His advocate, Rajesh Rupareliya, confirmed the verdict, stating the case lacked evidence against him.
The complaint originated from a Banaskantha-based fishing contractor against Solanki. Despite no substantial proof against Sanghani, lower courts had earlier denied his discharge application.
The Supreme Court ruled that “there is not even an iota of material available from the investigation report against Sanghani” and concluded that his discharge should have been granted earlier.
Meanwhile, Sanghani remained engaged in cooperative discussions at the NEDAC General Assembly in Mombasa. The event, part of the International Year of Cooperatives, included key Indian cooperative leaders discussing global initiatives and work plans for the Asia-Pacific region. Topics focused on enhancing agricultural cooperative societies for sustainable rural development.
Sanghani also addressed an international conference in Nairobi, emphasizing the role of agricultural cooperatives in strengthening rural economies. His legal victory reinforces his leadership in India’s cooperative sector, ensuring his continued influence in fostering global cooperative initiatives.
