Mumbai, 27 June: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday for questioning in a money laundering case involving a redevelopment project.
Refusing to join the investigation due to a meeting in Alibagh, Sanjay Raut said on Monday that he “won’t go to Guwahati”, implying that the investigation against him could continue.
The summons comes amid political turmoil in Maharashtra, where 39 MLAs have gathered in Guwahati to support dissident minister Ekanth Shinde.
The Sena’s senior leader has been outspoken in his criticism of the BJP. In April, the investigating agency attached immovable assets worth Rs 11.15 crore to three people involved in the redevelopment scam, including Raut’s wife Varsha.
Previously, in the Rs 1,034-crore Patra Chawl land fraud case, the ED had attached property worth Rs 9 crore associated with Sanjay Raut’s ‘aide’ Pravin Raut and assets worth roughly Rs 2 crore associated with Varsha. Pravin has been charged with money laundering by the financial watchdog.
In February, ED agents investigating the Patra Chawl land fraud discovered that Pravin Raut had transferred Rs 55 lakh to Varsha from criminal proceeds through his wife’s account. The ED also stated that hotel accommodations and tickets for Sanjay and those associated with him had been reserved for domestic and international travel.
The news comes amid ongoing political turmoil in Maharashtra, where Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde is staying with dozens of MLAs in a hotel in Guwahati.
