ED now summons Sanjay Raut's wife

The ED has summoned Varsha Raut, wife of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who was last Sunday arrested in an alleged case of money laundering linked to a redevelopment project. Seeking extension of Raut's custody, ED told a PMLA court 'he could not explain about ₹1.08 crore received in his wife's account'. The court extended Raut's custody till Monday.

Raut told the court that ED kept him in a room that had no window or ventilation. ED's counsel Hiten Venegaokar said Raut was in an AC room and 'hence there was no window'. Raut said his health condition prevented him from using AC. ED then assured the court that he would be kept in a ventilated room.

ED also alleged fresh evidence on ₹2.25 crore of 'proceeds of crime found during the probe'. ED claimed its investigation has led to 'further proceeds of crime utilised by Raut to the tune of ₹1.17 crore in respect of the Alibaug properties'. "This is in addition to the entire PoC of ₹1.6 crore," Vengaonkar contended. Several amounts have been received in the accounts of Varsha Raut. On investigation from Raut, he could not explain but gave evasive answers as to the reason as to why these huge amounts were paid to wife," the remand application alleged. ED told the court that it has summoned the person from whom the plots were purchased to join the probe. ED alleged 'PoC was spent on domestic and foreign tours undertaken by Raut's family'.


"Some more amounts have been revealed, pointing out further trials, remarkable progress in the investigation. Contention of the defence counsel is not justified because investigation in PMLA cases is peculiar... ED has to investigate the source of dirty money and how the same has been inserted in the financial system. ED has to investigate the process of proceeds are separated from their illegal source... Facts revealed in previous investigations demonstrating these three stages require further investigations by summons and confrontation," the judge said while extending Raut's custody.