Patra Chawl land scam: Sanjay Raut dubs ED raids as ‘conspiracy’, says won't quit Shiv Sena

Rajya Sabha member and Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut was detained by the Enforcement Directorate on Sunday after several hours of searches at his Maitri bungalow in Bhandup for his alleged role in the Rs 1,034-crore Patra Chawl land scam. "There is a conspiracy against me…mai jhukega nahin.. nor will I quit Shiv Sena…Sena will not get weakened," Raut told the media outside the agency's Ballard Estate office.

Raut kept waving at his supporters as the ED brought him to its office in south Mumbai. About 10 officers arrive at Raut's Bhandup home around 7 am after the Parliamentarian failed to appear before the agency for being questioned in the case registered by MHADA in 2018.

Also read: Why does ED want to investigate Sanjay Raut repeatedly, asks Ajit Pawar

Raut's mother makes a hand gesture as her son is being taken away by ED officers. Pics/Sameer Markande

Hours later, Raut tweeted: "I have nothing to do with any scam. I am saying this by taking the oath of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray… Balasaheb taught us to fight…I will continue to fight for Shiv Sena."

This prompted Sena workers to gather around Raut's home where they sloganeered against the ED. They carried placards of PNB scam accused Mehul Choksi and former liquor baron Vijay Mallya mocking the Centre, accusing it of not taking action against them. Raut came to his balcony and waved at his supporters.

The police beefed up the security in the area to control the aggressive followers of Raut.

They also made elaborate arrangements around the ED office in Ballard Estate. Holding a saffron scarf, Raut waved at his supporters outside the ED office.

Raut, who is in the Uddhav Thackeray camp, had skipped multiple ED summons issued in a money laundering case in which the Central agency had attached immovable properties worth Rs 11.5 crore.

On July 1, ED questioned Raut for 10 hours and issued summons for July 20. Subsequently, his lawyer visited the agency's office seeking exemption till August 7. After rejecting his appeal, the agency issued fresh summons asking Raut to appear before it on July 27. The MP didn't show up, citing the ongoing Parliament session.

Goregaon-based Patra Chawl plot belongs to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).

Raut at ED's office at Ballard Estate on Sunday. Pic/Ashish Raje

There are alleged irregularities in the re-development of the chawl and a few related transactions are allegedly linked to Raut's wife and associates. The magnitude of the scam is about Rs 1,034 crore.

At the time of going to the press, Raut was being questioned at the ED office. His close associate, Pravin Raut, who was arrested in February in connection with the case, is already in judicial custody.

10
No of ED officers who arrived at Raut's house on Sunday