Prepare for ED probe: Narayan Rane to the Thackerays

Even as the officials from the BMC arrived at his Juhu bungalow to inspect the alleged violations of coastal regulations on Friday, Union minister Narayan Rane took to Twitter, warning the Thackerays of impending ED action. Rane, who started his political career with the Shiv Sena, said the ED will soon serve notices to four people at Matoshree, Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Bandra.

The civic body will inspect Rane's bungalow, Aadish, in Juhu on Monday, as no one from his family was present on the premises when its officials went to check the alleged structural irregularities on Friday.

Civic officials at Union minister Narayan Rane's bungalow, Aadish, in Juhu, on Friday. Pic/Suresh Karkera

The BMC on Thursday issued a notice for conducting inspection and measurements to check if there is any illegal construction. A team of BMC officials reached the bungalow around 5.10 pm, but had to return in just five minutes. A police officer and five constables had accompanied the team, as per the protocol.

"There was no one from the family at the bungalow and the action cannot be taken after 5.30 pm. Now, the inspection will be carried out on Monday and the notice regarding the same has been given to the responsible employees at the bungalow," said an official on condition of anonymity.

Civic officials said that as per the procedure, another notice would be served if they find any unauthorised construction on the premises, giving them a certain time to prove the legality. The notice was given by the designated officer of K West ward under Section 68 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888.

Aadish bungalow has been in the news for the past few years, since RTI activist Santosh Daundkar alleged violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. He filed a complaint, alleging that the bungalow was constructed within 50 metres of the sea, and the BMC wasn't taking action despite repeated complaints.

Rane's claims

Taking to Twitter, Rane said there was special news for Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut. He said that the deaths of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and his former manager Disha Salian would be probed again, as they didn't die by suicide, but were murdered. Salian was gang raped before she was killed, the minister claimed.

"Not just this, but four from Matoshree [Thackeray's Kala Nagar residence] will soon receive a notice from the Enforcement Directorate (ED)," Rane tweeted, and asked Raut where he and his boss will run to then.

Earlier this week, Raut said that Rane joined the BJP only to avert actions by the ED.

Sources said Rane left for Mumbai late Friday evening and will address a press conference on Saturday.