Mumbai Aug 09 :- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) told a special PMLA court on Monday that Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, arrested in a money laundering case connected to the Patra Chawl project, had utilised a considerable amount of cash, allegedly received as proceeds of crime, to purchase land in Kihim, Alibaug. The ED said the purchase had been confirmed by some of the sellers.
The ED said that on August 5 statements were recorded of two of the five sellers whose names reflected in the incriminating documents reflecting infusion of cash component seized from Raut’s residence on July 31. The ED said they had accepted that they had received the exact cash amount mentioned in the seized document. “…[S]on of a seller, among two other sellers who have passed away, also stated that he was aware of the deal and confirmed receipt of cash for the land which they were forced to sell to Sanjay Raut,” the ED’s plea said.
Special judge M G Deshpande sent Raut to judicial custody till August 22. Raut was arrested on August 1. After the remand hearing, he was taken to Arthur Road jail, where Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh of NCP, both arrested in separate laundering cases, are lodged. Malik is currently in a private hospital.
The court allowed Raut’s plea for home food and medicines for now. The court said Raut will have to be referred to the CMO. Raut, who has an heart ailment, also moved a plea for a bed. The judge said personal bedding cannot be considered as the jail will make adequate arrangements.
Seeking that Raut be sent to judicial custody, the ED said if released, he may tamper with evidence and ensure the trail of proceeds of crime is obfuscated and may not be recovered, which will frustrate the ongoing probe under PMLA.
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