PMC Bank Scam: ED Summons Sanjay Raut's Wife For Questioning; Shiv Sena MP Claims "Unaware About Notice"

Varsha Raut has been asked to appear before ED Mumbai office on December 29. Varsha earlier failed to appear before the financial probe agency on December 11 on health grounds.

Image (Photo/PTI)

Enforcement Directorate on Sunday summoned Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's wife, Varsha Raut, for questioning in connection with the PMC Bank fraud case. As per the latest development, Varsha Raut, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), has now been asked to appear at its Mumbai office on December 29. Varsha earlier failed to appear before the financial probe agency on December 11 on health grounds. Speaking with the ABP News in a phone call on Sunday, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that he is unaware about any such notice by the ED. Raut further said that more details in this matter will be provided in a press conference. The ED on October 3, 2019, registered a case of money laundering against Housing Development Infrastructures Ltd (HDIL), Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan, Sarang Wadhawan, Waryam Singh and Joy Thomas, Chairman and Managing Director of PMC bank Ltd among others on the basis of an FIR registered by the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing in September last year. ED sources said that an enforcement case investigation report, equivalent to a police FIR, was lodged following a complaint by PMC Bank's Manager (recovery department) claiming that over 21,000 fictitious accounts were created to suppress the stressed loan accounts of the HDIL, flouting the Reserve Bank of India norms. Following this, RBI had asked the bank not to grant or renew any loans and advances, make any investment or incur any liability, including borrower of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits. Subsequently, the RBI capped the withdrawal limit for the PMC Bank depositors to Rs 1,000 which was gradually increased to Rs 50,000.