Mumbai: Soon after being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate in relation to a money laundering case on Monday, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that even if he is beheaded he will not take the "Guwahati route" in an apparent reference to the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs camping in Guwahati. The MLAs are being led by disgruntled Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde.
"I just came to know that the ED has summoned me. Good! There are big political developments in Maharashtra. We, Balasaheb's Shivsainiks are fighting a big battle. This is a conspiracy to stop me. Even if you behead me, I won't take the Guwahati route. Arrest me Jai Hind!," tweeted Raut.
According to ED sources, the Rajya Sabha MP has been asked to depose before the federal agency at its office in south Mumbai on June 28 at 11 am and record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Previously the ED in April provisionally attached assets worth more than Rs 11.15 crore of Raut's wife Varsha Raut and two of his associates as part of this investigation.
ED sources said that Raut has been asked to appear before the investigators at its regional office in Mumbai at 11 am tomorrow, said an official privy to the development. They further revealed that the summons has been issued in connection with the re-development of Mumbai's Patra Chawl.
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ED in April attached immovable properties worth Rs 11.15 crore, including a flat at Dadar, held by 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. Swapna is the wife of Sujit Patkar, a close associate of Raut.
ED said that its investigation revealed that around Rs 100 crore was transferred from the real estate company, HDIL, 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 has been a director in an infrastructure company called Guruashish Constructions and is stated to be a subsidiary of the HDIL (Housing Development Infrastructure Limited), an accused in the case. Pravin Raut was arrested in the past by the Maharashtra police's economic offenses wing. (With Agency inputs)
