MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out searches at two premises in the city linked to the Patra Chawl money-laundering case involving arrested Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut.
The ED is investigating cash payment that Raut allegedly received from HDIL and his close friend-cum-frontman Pravin Raut who conspired with HDIL promoters to commit the fraud.
One of the searched premises belonged to a person who was earlier associated with HDIL and handled its cash transactions. The ED recorded his statement in the case.
The ED is investigating the cash that Sanjay Raut received from Pravin Raut, who was one of the directors in Guru Ashish Construction, a subsidiary of HDIL. The ED is also investigating if Sanjay Raut had received cash payment direction from HDIL also.
The other premises searched belonged to HDIL promoters Rakesh Wadhawan and his son Sarang who are in jail in a money-laundering case connected to the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank scam.
It is alleged that cash generated from the Patra Chawl fraud deal was diverted to Raut and over Rs 3 crore of such money was used for purchasing eight land parcels in Alibaug by him. The ED had attached these land parcels earlier. ED officials are examining those connected with the cash transactions.
