Mumbai, Jan 24 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Sandeep Raut, the youthful brother of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, for questioning in a cash laundering case linked to the alleged ‘khichdi’ rip-off through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, official sources stated Wednesday.
Sandeep Raut has been requested to depose earlier than the central company at its workplace in Mumbai subsequent week, they stated, including his assertion will likely be recorded underneath the Prevention of Cash Laundering Act (PMLA).
It’s alleged that Sandeep Raut was a “beneficiary” of some doubtful funds generated on this case.
When he was summoned by the Financial Offence Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police, Sanjay Raut had informed the press that there was no fraud and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Company (BMC) had given the very best providers through the pandemic.
Suraj Chavan, a functionary of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), was arrested on this case by the ED final week.
Chavan is a core committee member of the Yuva Sena, the youth wing of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). He’s in ED custody until Thursday and is anticipated to be produced earlier than a court docket right here.
The cash laundering case stems from an FIR of the Mumbai police’s EOW.
In keeping with police, alleged irregularities befell whereas giving contracts by the BMC for offering ‘khichdi’ to migrants through the COVID-19.
The work order was given by the BMC to Sahyadri Refreshments, which sub-contracted it to Pressure One Multi Companies for preparation, packaging and distribution of ‘khichdi’ to the respective websites.
The ED alleged it got here to gentle that as a result of proximity of Suraj Chavan with “senior political chief/influential individuals”, the work order for khichdi was awarded to Pressure One Multi Companies by the BMC authorities.
No pointers or standards had been adopted whereas awarding the work order, the central company had knowledgeable the court docket whereas in search of Chavan’s remand.
It claimed that for the availability of khichdi packets, an quantity of Rs 8.64 crore was transferred by the BMC into the checking account of Pressure One Multi Companies.
It was alleged that Pressure One Multi Companies generated proceeds of crime of round Rs 3.64 crore, of which Rs 1.25 crore was “diverted” into the non-public checking account of Chavan and proceeds of Rs 10 lakh into the checking account of his partnership agency, Fireplace Fighters Enterprises.
On this method, Chavan has “wrongfully acquired the proceeds of crime” to the tune of Rs 1.35 crore, it had claimed.
The ED’s investigation has revealed that “there was no position performed” by Chavan in supplying khichdi.
The unlawful revenue generated by Pressure One Multi Companies was distributed to the accused by displaying him as an worker of the agency from monetary yr 2019-20 and funds had been transferred to him as wage and a few within the type of private loans.
The ED claimed that to venture Chavan as an worker of the agency, two solid and backdated appointment letters had been issued in his title.
On being requested about his position in influencing and contacting any BMC officer concerning allotment of labor orders of khichdi provide to Pressure One Multi Companies, he was in denial and made evasive responses, the probe company had stated.
The unlawful funds acquired by Chavan had been used for the acquisition of immovable residential and agricultural properties in his private title, which wants additional examination underneath the PMLA, the ED had stated. PTI NES KVK KVK
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