Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has been remanded in judicial custody till Aug 22 by a special court on Monday after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in whose custody he has been since last Monday did not seek his further custody for interrogation. The agency had arrested him in a money laundering case concerning Goregaon’s Patra Chawl.
Seeking that he be kept in judicial custody while the probe continues, the probe agency said he is an influential person and has allegations of threatening witnesses on him. It told the court through its remand application that if released he may tamper with evidence and obfuscate the entire trail of money.
Raut made a plea for a home food facility in prison. The court temporarily permitted him to avail of the facility and in the meantime, has asked the Arthur Road jail authorities including its medical officer, where he will be lodged, to submit their response on whether the facility is required. Raut also made a plea for being provided with a mattress in prison.
The court said in its order that the plea cannot be considered as the jail authorities will have to make adequate arrangements for the bedding. Special Judge under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) MG Deshpande has permitted him to take medicines as prescribed by his doctor. These will be referred to the jail authorities for continuation.
Raut was produced before the court in the afternoon. An ED prosecutor informed the court that Raut was being brought by the agency’s officers and was on his way when he insisted on being taken for a medical check through he had taken for the same on Sunday. Hence, he has been taken for the check, the court was told. Raut was produced with some delay, therefore.
The agency has alleged that Raut had received some proceeds of crime in the redevelopment project that did not materialize. It has alleged that one of the directors Pravin Raut of a company Guruashish Constructions Pvt Ltd. that was in charge of the redevelopment project had transferred some amounts to Raut and his wife from Rs. 112 crores that he had benefited from the fraud.
