Earlier, Raut failed to appear before the ED for further statements despite two summons. Two days ago, Swapna Patkar, a witness in the case, told the police that she was getting threatening calls asking the ED to withdraw her statement against Raut.
Sanjay Raut’s wife Varsha and Swapna owned a land in Alibaug which was bought in their joint names. The ED suspects that Praveen Raut, a friend of arrested businessman Sanjay Raut, had purchased the land through Patkar’s estranged husband Sujit Patkar with money diverted from Patra Chawl fraudulently.
#Mumbai | ED officials reached the residence of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut at around 7 am today; Currently organizing an event… https://t.co/zrYs7zE0yR
— TOI Mumbai (@TOIMumbai) 1659235356000
In April, the ED attached a flat and Alibaug land parcel in Mumbai owned by Sanjay Raut’s wife Varsha. The ED had alleged that these properties were purchased with money diverted by Praveen Raut.
During recent searches at Patkar’s premises, the ED found documents on Alibaug’s land. Earlier in her statement to the ED, Swapna told them that her name was used to buy the land though she had no ownership rights over it and the ownership of the land parcel is under complete control of Sanjay Raut.
Recently, the ED recorded the statement of Sanjay Raut at his zonal office in Ballard Estate area of South Mumbai. The ED called Patkar and Swapna again for clarification after questioning them, but they requested exemption till August 7 due to the ongoing session of Parliament. But the ED turned down his request.
The ED is probing a Rs 1,200-crore money laundering case related to the Patra Chawl redevelopment fraud in Goregaon involving the Housing Development and Infrastructure Limited (HDIL) group, its promoters Rakesh Wadhawan, his sons Sarang and Praveen Raut.
#Mumbai: Enforcement Directorate officials at Shiv Sena leader #SanjayRaut’s residence… https://t.co/qFWDbUHofs
— TOI Mumbai (@TOIMumbai) 1659234244000
Guru Ashish Construction, a subsidiary of HDIL, took up the task of redevelopment of Patra Chawl after negotiating with the land owner MHADA (a state government agency) and residents. Praveen Raut was a shareholder of Guru Ashish and got Rs 50 crore after exiting the company. Praveen Raut also received Rs 45 crore from a land deal in Palghar from HDIL Group. The ED had arrested Praveen Raut in this case in February and filed a charge sheet against him. Last year, he attached Praveen Raut’s assets worth Rs 72 crore.
Maharashtra and Shiv Sena Ladhil.
— sanjay raut (@rautsanjay61) 1659237467000
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut tweeted, “The fight between Maharashtra and Shiv Sena will continue,” as the Enforcement Directorate conducts searches at his Mumbai residence.
#watch | #Mumbai: Supporters of #SanjayRout gather outside his residence as ED’s search continues https://t.co/bPu8YswUCt
— TOI Mumbai (@TOIMumbai) 1659239129000
During this, Sanjay RautHis supporters have gathered outside his house. They are raising slogans in his support. The police have closed the gate of the building and are not allowing anyone inside.
watch Mumbai: ED officials at Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s residence after he refused to serve him twice.