A special court here on Monday sent Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut to judicial custody till September 5 in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in the redevelopment of a ‘chawl’ in Mumbai. Probe agency Enforcement Directorate argued that Raut’s release at this stage would hamper the investigation as he is a very influential person and there is apprehension that he may tamper with the evidence.
The ED, which had arrested the Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha member on August 1, in its application to the court, said that during the custodial interrogation, Sanjay Raut He did not explain his involvement in the alleged offence.
Sanjay Raut, 60, was arrested by the ED in connection with alleged financial irregularities in the redevelopment of Patra Chawl (row houses) in suburban Goregaon. The ED, during his custodial interrogation, said that Raut did not divulge his involvement which was to his knowledge, and he evaded. Investigation of case related to proceeds of crime approx. 1,039.79 crore is at a critical stage, it said. The ED said further investigation is required to ascertain the full role of the accused and the involvement of other persons to identify the further proceedings of the crime.
Patra ‘Chawl’ redevelopment: What the ED says
The ED probe pertains to alleged financial irregularities in the redevelopment of Patra ‘chawl’ and financial transactions involving Raut’s wife and associates. During the last remand hearing, the federal probe agency claimed that Raut got the benefit of approx. 2.25 crore from the proceeds of crime. The money was allegedly used to buy property in Alibaug in neighboring Raigad district.
According to the ED, 47 acres of land in Patra Chawl is owned by Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and 672 tenants were residing on the plot. Guru Ashish Construction obtained permission for plot redevelopment with additional floor space index (FSI), but till date no actual redevelopment has taken place. According to the probe agency, the tenants were thus left high and dry. Praveen Raut, already arrested in this case, is one of the directors of the firm. The ED had claimed that he was the frontrunner for Sanjay Raut. The probe agency on Saturday questioned Sanjay Raut’s wife Varsha Raut for over nine hours in connection with the case and recorded her statement. Sanjay Raut is a close aide of Shiv Sena President and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. He has denied any wrongdoing and called the ED’s case against him “false”.
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