INDIA. Mumbai: Sanjay Raut, a Shiv Sena MP, was searched at his Bhandup home by Enforcement Directorate (ED) agents early in the morning.
In the money laundering case associated with the Patra Chawl redevelopment scheme in Goregaon, ED is likely to invite Raut to accompany them when questioned.
ED raids Raut’s house after his No-show for questioning
Despite receiving two summonses, Raut previously ignored the ED’s request for more statements.
A witness in the case named Swapna Patkar told the police two days ago that she was receiving threatening calls requesting her to retract her statement to the ED accusing Raut.
Varsha and Swapna Raut, jointly purchased a piece of land in Alibaug.
The ED believes that the land was bought using money that was diverted from the Patra Chawl fraud by Sanjay Raut’s buddy and arrested businessman Pravin Raut via Patkar’s estranged husband, Sujit Patkar.
In April, the ED seized the Alibaug land parcels and Varsha Raut’s Mumbai apartment. According to the ED, the money Pravin Raut allegedly syphoned was used to buy these properties.
The ED discovered the documents pertaining to Alibaug land during recent searches at Patkar’s premises.
Swapna previously told the ED that the Shive Sena leader has entire authority over the land parcels despite her name being used for the purchase, even though she had no ownership rights on them.
The ED recently recorded the Shiv Sena leader’s statement in the case at their zonal office in the South Mumbai neighbourhood of Ballard Estate.
After interviewing Patkar and Swapna, the ED called him again for additional clarification, but he asked for an exemption until August 7 due to continuing Parliamentary proceedings.
But ED turned down his demand. The Housing Development and Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL) group, its promoters Rakesh Wadhawan, his son Sarang, and Pravin Raut are all involved in a money laundering case worth Rs 1,200 crore connected to the Patra Chawl redevelopment scheme in Goregaon.
After reaching an agreement with the property owner Mhada (a state government agency), and inhabitants, the HDIL subsidiary Guru Ashish Construction took on the redevelopment of Patra Chawl.
One of the Guru Ashish shareholders, Pravin Raut, received Rs 50 crore when he left the business.
Pravin Raut also earned Rs 45 crore from the HDIL company as part of land purchase in Palghar. Pravin Raut was detained and charged in the case by the ED in February. They attached Pravin Raut’s properties with a 72-crore rupee bond last year.
Outside of Sanjay Raut’s home, his followers have gathered. Police lock the building’s gate, and no one is permitted inside.
Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Detained During Demonstrations against Sonia Gandhi’s ED Summons
