Mumbai: ED raids Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA in money laundering case

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday raided the premises of Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Ravindra Waikar and some of his linked entities in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the construction of a luxury hotel in Jogeshwari area of the city.

The ED has conducted raids at seven locations of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Ravindra Waikar and his partners in the money laundering case.

The searches include the residence of Waikar's wife and locations connected to his business partners Aasoo Nehlanai, Raj Lalchandani, Prithpal Bindra, and architect Arun Dubey. The raids are part of an investigation into an alleged Rs 500 crore plot scam, wherein Waikar is accused of deceiving the BMC by securing permission to construct a five-star hotel on a plot designated for BMC playgrounds and gardens, exploiting his political connections for approval and causing substantial losses to the BMC.

The case was originally filed by the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), and subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a probe into money laundering by registering an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR). The authorities are intensifying their efforts to unravel the complexities surrounding the alleged Rs 500 crore plot scam involving Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Ravindra Waikar.