'False Action.. False Evidence': Sanjay Raut On ED Raid At His Residence, Says Won't Leave Shiv Sena

Patra Chawl land scam case: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut maintained that he has "nothing to do with any scam" after ED raided his residence and is questioning him in connection with the case.

New Delhi: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday responded to the raid by Enforcement Directorate at his residence calling it a "false action" based on "false evidence".

The ED team is conducting a search at Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's residence in Mumbai in connection with a money laundering case related to irregularities in a chawl redevelopment project at Mumbai's Goregaon.

"Maharashtra and Shiv Sena will continue to fight," Sanjay Raut tweeted.

In another tweet, he wrote: "False action.. False evidence. I will not leave Shiv Sena.. Even if I die, I will not surrender. Jai Maharashtra".

"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," he added.

The ED officials arrived at Sanjay Raut's residence and are questioning him in connection with the Patra Chawl land scam case. ED sleuths reached Raut's residence around 7 am today, news agency ANI reported.

Patra Chawl Land Scam Case

In April, the ED provisionally attached assets worth over Rs 11.15 crore of the Shiv Sena MP's wife Varsha Raut, and two of his associates -- businessman Pravin Raut, and Swapna Patkar, wife of the MP's close associate Sujit Patkar -- as part of this investigation.

As per the central agency, its investigation revealed that around Rs 100 crore was transferred from the real estate company, HDIL (Housing Development Infrastructure Limited), to the account of Pravin Raut, who in turn diverted part of these funds to various accounts of his close associates, family members, and business entities.

Praveen Raut, reportedly a close associate of MP Sanjay Raut, has been a director in an infrastructure company called Guru Ashish constructions which is stated to be a subsidiary of the HDIL.

In a statement in April, the Enforcement Directorate informed that "Investigation under PMLA revealed that M/s Guru Ashish Construction Private Ltd was entrusted the development of Patra Chawal Project for rehabilitation of 672 tenants. During the relevant time Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan, Sarang Wadhwan, and Pravin Raut were the Directors of M/s Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd. A tripartite agreement was signed between society MHADA and M/s Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd. According to the agreement, the developer to provide the flats to 672 tenants and develop flats for MHADA and thereafter the remaining area to be sold by the developer".

"The directors of M/s Guru Ashish Constructions mislead MHADA and managed to sell the Forest Survey of India (FSI) to 9 developers and collected approximately Rs 901.79 crores without constructing the rehab portion for 672 displaced tenants and MHADA portion," it stated, as quoted by ANI.

The law enforcement agency notified that "Further M/s Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd have also launched one project namely Meadows and took the booking of amount around Rs 138 crores from flat buyers. The total proceeds of the crime generated by Directors of M/s Guru Ashish Constructions Pvt Ltd through the illegal activities was approximately Rs 1039.79 crore. The part of the proceeds of the crime was further transferred to close associates."

After arresting Pravin Raut in February, the ED stated that he appears to be "acting as a front" or in collusion with some influential person(s). As per the agency, during the probe, it was revealed he made payments to certain "politically exposed persons", ANI reported.

(With Agency Inputs)