According to documents accessed by India Today, Raut’s friend and prime accused Pravin Raut generated Rs 112 crore in the entire scam, out of which Rs 1.06 crore was diverted to the Sena leader and his wife Varsha Raut through different methods.
After searching Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut‘s home in Mumbai for several hours on Sunday, the Enforcement Directorate
According to documents accessed by India Today, Raut’s friend and prime accused Pravin Raut generated Rs 112 crore in the entire scam, out of which Rs 1.06 crore was diverted to the Sena leader and his wife Varsha Raut through different methods.
CONCRETE EVIDENCE AGAINST SANJAY RAUT
Evidence Number 1
According to the ED, in 2009, two years after the conspiracy was hatched, Pravin Raut transferred Rs 55 lakh from his account to Varsha. This amount was used to buy a flat in Mumbai.
Evidence Number 2
Later in 2011, Pravin’s firm, Prathamesh Developer, received an investment of Rs 29.50 lakh from Sanjay and his wife. Within a month, Rauts were returned their investment along with an additional Rs 37.50 lakh as profit. This money was used to buy a flat in Garden Court.
Evidence Number 3
Raut’s wife Varsha had received Rs 13.95 lakh for investment of Rs 5,625 in Avani Infrastructure, the ED has alleged.
ALLEGATIONS BY ED AND STATEMENTS AGAINST SANJAY RAUT
Along with hard evidence, the ED has also claimed they have a statement that indicates the Shiv Sena leader was also part of the conspiracy. According to the ED, “Pravin Raut, Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan and Sarang Wadhawan conspired together and hatched a conspiracy to siphon off money from the project without completing the project and jeopardising the future of 672 tenants whose dwellings had already been demolished.
Pravin was Director of Guruashish Construction Private Limited along with Rakesh and Sarang Wadhawan.
The financial probe agency has also alleged that Pravin Raut is a close confidante and associate of Sanjay Raut. Being the frontman of Sanjay Raut, he utilised his proximity with Sanjay Raut for obtaining approval from MAHADA and other advantages best known to themselves. Being a very influential person and given his proximity to Sanjay Raut, Praveen Raut has received PoC of around 112 crores and there is every likelihood that Sanjay Raut has received more PoC during that period,” ED has said.
The agency claims that they have witness statements to establish these facts.
PATRA CHAWL SCAM
In 2007, Guruashish Constructions, a sister concern company of HDIL (Housing Development and Infrastructure Ltd), was awarded a contract for the redevelopment of Patra Chawl by MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority).
Guruashish Constructions had to develop flats for 672 tenants of Patra Chawl and about 3.000 flats had to be handed over to MHADA. The total land parcel was of 47 acres and the remaining land, after handing over flats to MHADA and Patra Chawl tenants, was to be allowed for sale and development by Guruashish constructions.
The company did not redevelop the Patra Chawl or any other flats that had to be handed over to MHADA and sold land parcels and FSI to around eight other builders for Rs 1,034 crores.
Pravin Raut, now arrested by ED, was one of the directors of the firm along with Sarang and Rakesh Wadhawan of HDIL, who were the prime accused in the PMC bank scam case.
In March 2018, MHADA filed an FIR against Guruashish Constructions. In February 2020, Pravin was arrested by EOW, while Sarang was arrested by EOW in September the same year. Pravin was later released on bail.
Later again, ED lodged a case and arrested Pravin as a prime accused in the case. Now, Sanjay Raut has been arrested by the agency.
Sanjay has called all the allegations baseless and termed the action against him a political vendetta by the BJP and Centre.
