Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut refuses to appear before ED on June 28
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 27: Amid the political crisis in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut was summoned by ED in money laundering case and in connection with Mumbai's Patra Chawl on Monday morning, refused to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday for questioning.
Sanjay Raut stated that he prefers to stay with the party in the time of crisis and will seek time from Enforcement Directorate.
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While addressing the media, Raut said, "I knew ED is going to summon me, I won't kneel down. No matter what the rebel MLAs do, I will not go to Guwahati. I am Balasaheb's Shiv Sainik and I will stay with my party. I will not appear before the ED tomorrow. I will seek time from ED, but will definitely go after some time."
According to official sources, the ED summoned the Shiv Sena leader for questioning, on Tuesday, in a money laundering case. The move comes amid the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra in which rebel Shiv Sena MLAs led by Eknath Shinde are camping in Guwahati.
Raut has been asked to appear before the ED investigators at its regional office in Mumbai at 11 AM but he refused, an official privy to the development said.
In April, the ED had also attached immovable properties worth Rs 11.15 crore, including a flat at Dadar, held by Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut's wife Varsha and eight land parcels at Kihim near Alibag, jointly held by the latter with Swapna Patkar, in connection with the redevelopment scam.
Amid the mounting trouble for the party in the wake of internal rebellion, the ED's summon to Raut, who is considered to be a confidant of Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
The federal agency has also been probing a Rs 4,300 crore PMC Bank money laundering case against Sanjay Raut's wife Varsha Raut, who was questioned last year under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the central probe agency.
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The agency is probing her role in the alleged bank loan scam with regard to the transfer of Rs 55 lakh funds by the wife of an accused in the case, Pravin Raut, apart from some other transactions.
-PTC News
