Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut arrested by ED after 6 hours of questioning

Land Scam Case: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in the redevelopment of a 'chawl' in Mumbai. Raut, 60, was arrested after an interrogation that lasted over six hours at the ED's divisional office in south Mumbai's Ballard Estate, officials said.

Allegations of not cooperating with the investigation

Officials claimed that Raut was detained under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at 12:05 pm on Sunday as he was not cooperating in the investigation. Raut, a Rajya Sabha member of Shiv Sena, will be produced before a special PMLA court in Mumbai where the ED will seek his custody.

A team of the investigating agency reached Raut's residence in Mumbai's Bhandup area on Sunday, where they searched, questioned Raut and summoned him to appear for questioning at the agency's local office by evening.

What did Sanjay Raut say?

Sanjay Raut told a private news channel over phone that he is fully cooperating with the ED and will not succumb to a well-planned political conspiracy to eliminate Shiv Sena.

He said, "I am not scared.. There is no question of non-cooperation with the law, I am ready to sacrifice myself for Shiv Sena. The ED team came early in the morning without giving any notice, in this so-called case to me. Didn't get any documents from him."

He reiterated that he was being pressured in the past to help bring down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government (which fell on June 29) and termed the ED's allegations against him as false. He said that he would not bow down to anyone, but would continue his fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Earlier, the ED action came after a raid on Raut's Bhandup residence, 'Maitri', on Sunday morning and searches were conducted for over 9 hours. After two summons was sent to Raut, the ED team reached his house. Raut had sought time till August 7 as he was busy with work related to Parliament. The ED's move comes a day before the crucial hearing before the Supreme Court related to the disqualification of 16 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs.