ED officials along with CRPF personnel reached Sanjay Raut’s ‘Maitri’ bungalow in suburban Bhandup and started searches.
ED officials along with CRPF personnel reached Sanjay Raut’s ‘Maitri’ bungalow in suburban Bhandup and started searches.
On July 31, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the residence of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut in Mumbai in connection with a money laundering case, an official said. action is as follows ED issued two summons Against Mr Raut, latest on 27 July.
Mr. Raut was called ED questioned in money laundering case Alleged irregularities in the redevelopment of a ‘chawl’ in Mumbai and transactions involving his wife and ‘accomplices’.
Mr Raut had appeared before the agency in Mumbai on July 1 to record his statement in connection with the case. After that ED had summoned him twice, but he dropped the summons Referring to his engagement with the ongoing Parliament session.
Read also |Sanjay Raut condemns ‘harassment’ of middle-class Maharashtrians after ED attaches his assets
At 7 am on July 31, ED officials along with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel reached Mr. Raut’s ‘Maitri’ bungalow in suburban Bhandup and started a search.
The Rajya Sabha member, who is in the Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray camp, had denied any wrongdoing and alleged that he was being targeted for political vendetta.
Soon after the ED proceedings began, Mr Raut tweeted, “I take oath of late Balasaheb Thackeray that I have nothing to do with any scam.” “I will die but will not leave Shiv Sena,” Mr Raut said.
During the ED searches, a large number of Shiv Sena supporters gathered outside Mr Raut’s residence and protested against the agency’s action. Supporters of Shiv Sena MP with saffron flag and banner in hand also raised slogans against ED.
Read also | ED temporarily attaches immovable properties of Sanjay Raut’s family
Mr. Raut shook hands at his supporters from the window of his house. A large number of police have been deployed at the ED office located in South Mumbai’s Ballard Estate area, an official said.
The road leading to the agency office has been closed for vehicles and barricades have been put up, the official said.
We don’t want to put pressure on anyone: Shinde
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, “If Raut claims that he is innocent, then he has nothing to fear.”
Speaking in Aurangabad, Mr. Shinde, reacting to Mr. Raut’s remarks that he would never join the BJP under any pressure, quipped, “We don’t want to put pressure on anyone nor in this way. There is no desire to involve people. Shiv Sena [Shinde camp] Or the BJP… Raut was never invited by anybody.’
State Congress President targeted BJP
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole hit out at the BJP, saying, “They have decided on the policy that whoever speaks or speaks against PM Narendra Modi or BJP, they will remove the central agencies on that.” . Everyone knows that this action is being taken in violation of the Constitution to pressurize Mr. Raut, to blackmail him.”
(With inputs from Shomojit Banerjee)