In yet another instance of a top leader from the Opposition camp being targeted by central agencies, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar’s close aide and party’s Maharashtra unit president Jayant Patil was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday in the IL&FS money laundering case.
Patil, a senior leader in the Democratic Front and the Maha Vikas Aghadi governments, had handled important portfolios like finance, home, water resources, and command area development.
Patil’s statement may be recorded in connection with the case at the ED's office located at Ballard Estate. However, there is no independent confirmation on this.
"I have no connection to this case...my life is an open book," he said, adding that whatever queries the ED has, he would reply. "I have never engaged in money laundering," he said.
Asked about the notice and its timing, he said: "You all know that..less said the better."
(Published 11 May 2023, 04:07 IST)