MUMBAI, 21 AUGUST, 2022 (GPN): Today Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut judicial custody in connection with the Patra Chawl land scam has been extended till September 5. On August 8, he was sent to 14-day judicial custody which ended on Monday and the special PMLA court extended the custody till September 5. At present, the Shiv Sena MP is lodged at the Arthur Road jail Barrack No 12.
On August 8, Sanjay Raut was sent to 14-day judicial custody which ended on Monday. A special PMLA court extended his judicial custody further till Monday September 5.
Before his arrest, the 60-year-old Sena leader was questioned by the ED in connection with the case. He was arrested on August 1 after he missed two summons from the agency during the monsoon session of Parliament.
In jail, Sanjay Raut has been been allowed home food. His wife has also been questioned in connection with the case after Sanjay Raut’s arrest.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducting investigations in the Patra Chawl case found that two vehicles belonging to a builder from Eastern suburbs of Mumbai were being used by Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and his family members. The two luxury vehicles allegedly belonged to directors of Sharddha Developers, which has several ongoing and completed projects in constituency of Sanjay Raut’s brother, Sunil Raut.
On Wednesday, the ED officials conducted searches at several locations in Mumbai, including premises of a real estate developer from Eastern suburbs of Mumbai. The searches, as per sources, were conducted in connection with the Patra Chawl case with links to arrested Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut as two vehicles being used by Raut and family members belonged to Directors of real estate firm Shraddha Developers.
Teams of ED went through several documents and computers at the premises of Shraddha Developers in Mulund. Shraddha Developers has several completed and ongoing projects in areas like Bhandup, Mulund and Vikhroli, which falls in the assembly constituency of Raut’s brother Sunil Raut.
Suring raid at premises of Sanjay Raut on July 31, the ED officials had found that two luxury vehicles being used by the Shiv Sena MP and family belonged to directors of Sharddha Developers.
Sources said another location which had been searched on Wednesday included the premises of Avni Infrastructure which was started by Raut’s wife, Varsha, and Patra Chawl scam prime accused Pravin Raut’s wife, Madhuri.
The ED accused Sanjay Raut of not explaining his links to the transactions satisfactorily and of giving “evasive replies”. The agency said that it is investigating a total amount of more than Rs 1000 crore as proceeds of crime in connection with the Patra Chawl land scam case in which Raut was arrested. Further probe is required to unearth the roles played by the accused as well as the involvement of any other persons to identify the full proceeds of the crime, the agency told the court.
On Monday, the ED did not seek further custody of Sanjay Raut but demanded that he be sent to judicial custody since he is a “very influential person against whom allegations of threatening witnesses have surfaced” and who “may tamper with evidence”.
The ED accused Sanjay Raut of fraudulently buying land and properties in Alibaug. The agency claimed it is investigating fraudulent activities that have allegedly resulted in proceeds of crime amounting to more than Rs 1000 crore.
Sanjay Raut was arrested by the ED in connection with the case on August 1 and was in ED custody till August 8 after which he was remanded to judicial custody and is presently lodged at the Arthur road prison.
The ED officials had informed court that they found several crore of proceeds of crime being diverted to Raut and his family members by prime accused Pravin Raut. Other than cash transfers and loans, ED officials also learnt that the 10 land parcels purchased at Alibag by Sanjay Raut in his wife Varsha Raut and Swapna Patkars name. Pravin Raut had also paid for international holiday, hotels and other travel expenditure of Raut.
The ED had attached the Alibag property and Dadar flat belonging to Sanjay Raut and family members in the month of April.
The agency continues further investigation in the case and this will be mentioned the chargesheet which will be filed before October 1.
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