Mumbai: After Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik for nearly six hours in connection with Rs 175 cr money laundering case on Thursday, the central agency has summoned him to appear before December 21.
The ED is likely to examine the bank statement of a credit card from Pakistani which was found during the raids at Sarnaik's premises. According to reports, the address on the credit card is of Sarnail but it is issued in the name of a Pakistani woman Cynthia Dadras. The card is issued from Fairmount Bank in California.
The probe agency has shot a letter to the Fairmount Bank seeking details of the credit card. Sarnaik told media that he had fully co-operated with the ED officials during the interrogation. He has been questioned by the central agency several times in connection with the probe.
READ: Shiv Sena lawmaker Sarnaik appears before ED
What does the case pertain to?
The money laundering case against the Shiv Sena leader pertains to an alleged duping of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) through a private security firm named Tops Group. The case was brought to the fore by Ramesh Iyer, a former employee of Tops Group.
Iyer said in his complaint that there was an agreement between MMRDA and the private firm to provide around 500 security guards. However, only 70 per cent of the security guards were provided by the firm. Iyer has alleged that about Rs 175 crore was embezzled in this transaction.
Summons were also issued to Sarnaik's son Viyang Sarnaik in connection with the case. However, Vihang did not appear for questioning as his wife was ill. No summons have been issued to Vihang since then.
Meanwhile, Amit Chandole, owner of the security firm, was also arrested by the ED and has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
READ: Shiv Sena MLA and son summoned in money laundering case
