Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut sent to ED custody till August 4 in Patra Chawl scam case

The ED demanded eight days’ custody, however, it was granted three days of custody of Raut

A day after a massive raid at his residence and subsequent arrest, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut was remanded to three days’ custody of the Enforcement Directorate by a special court in Mumbai on Monday.

Raut was produced before a social court set up under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) amid tight security arrangements, following his past-midnight arrest in the Rs 1,034-crore Patra Chawl land scam case.

Rejecting the ED’s plea of custody for eight days, Special Judge M G Deshpande remanded Raut to the federal agency’s custody till August 4.

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While the ED was represented by special public prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar, senior advocate Ashok Mundargi defended Raut.

The ED told the court that Raut and his family were direct beneficiaries of the proceeds of the crime.

According to him, Raut was not cooperating with the agency and hence his custodial interrogation was required.

“He is suffering from heart-related issues and has undergone a surgery, and all medical papers pertaining to this have been submitted to the court,” said Mundargi, adding that the arrest is politically motivated.

Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, who met the Raut family, said that the arrest was “vendetta politics”. “I am proud of Sanjay, he is an old friend…we are family friends,” he said.

“We have full faith in the judiciary and Raut saheb would come out clean,” said Raut’s younger brother and two-time MLA Sunil Raut. “Speaking against the BJP and defending Uddhav saheb seems to be the crime,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the said the Enforcement Directorate's action against Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut seems to be based on certain proofs. "The ED is a national probe agency. It must have taken action against Raut based on documents and proofs. I would not comment on this issue further. His arrest and other related issues will be discussed in the court," said Fadnavis.

Venegaonkar has also alleged in the court that Pravin Raut, who was earlier arrested in the case, was the frontman of Raut and the duo and traveled abroad together.

The PMLA court allowed Raut to meet his legal team in the mornings and the ED will not interrogate him after 10 pm in view of his health status.