Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut was grilled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for 10 hours on Friday, in connection with a money laundering case. The Sena leader had appeared before the probe agency at 11 am.
"It is our duty to go in front of the central agencies if they have any doubt in their minds so that people do not have any doubt in their minds about us. We were questioned for 10 hours and we gave full co-operation," said Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut after the questioning.
Heavy police force was deployed outside the central agency's office as a large number of Shiv Sena workers were present at the spot. Barricades were placed on the roads leading to the office.
After his arrival, the Sena MP, sporting a saffron muffler around his neck, waved at his supporters before entering the office with his lawyer. Speaking to reporters before going inside, Raut had said, "I will cooperate with the agency in the investigation. It had summoned me, they require some information from me and it is my duty as a Member of Parliament, a responsible citizen and a leader of a political party to cooperate with them."
He said he was "fearless and undaunted" as he has "not done anything wrong in life".
When asked whether it is a politically motivated case, Raut said, "We will come to know that later. I think I am appearing before an agency which is neutral, and I have full confidence in them."
"I will be appearing before the ED today at 12 noon. I respect the summons issued to me and it's my duty to co-operate with the investigation agencies. I appeal to Shiv Sena workers not to gather at the ED office. Don't worry!" Raut had earlier said in a tweet.
The ED had sent him a second summons to appear before July 1, after he failed to appear in his first summon on Monday due to the then political crisis in Maharashtra. Raut is being probed in connection with the re-development of Mumbai's Patra Chawl.
In April this year, the ED had attached immovable properties worth Rs 11.15 crore, including a flat at Dadar, held by Sanjay Raut's wife Varsha and eight land parcels at Kihim near Alibag, jointly held by the latter with Swapna Patkar, in connection with the redevelopment scam.
Read More | Sanjay Raut appears before ED, requests party workers not to gather outside probe agency's office
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