New Delhi: The ED’s move against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s brother-in-law in connection with a money-laundering inquiry reeks of despotism, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said on Tuesday adding that it “looks like ED has closed its office in other big states, like Gujarat.”
“Shridhar Madhav Patankar is our family member, his relation is not limited to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. ED has been taking tremendous actions in states where BJP is not in power,” Raut was quoted by ANI on its official Twitter handle.
Shridhar Madhav Patankar is our family member, his relation is not limited to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. ED has been taking tremendous actions in states where BJP is not in power: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, on ED raid at property of CM Uddhav Thackeray’s brother-in-law pic.twitter.com/AAJg22Duc2
– ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2022
On Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee being summoned by ED for questioning, Sanjay Raut said, “Everything is happening in Maharashtra. Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee is also being harassed. But neither Bengal will bow, nor Maharashtra will break.”
Also Read: Maharashtra: ED Seizes Properties Belonging To CM Uddhav’s Brother-In-Law, MVA Slams Centre
According to NCP chief Sharad Pawar, there was a political motive behind ED’s action.
“Central agencies being misused for political interests. Till a few years ago most people didn’t know about ED, but today it’s being misused so much that even people in villages know about it,” NCP Chief said.
Central agencies being misused for political interests.Till a few years ago most people didn’t know about ED, but today it’s being misused so much that even people in villages know about it:NCP’s Sharad Pawar on ED raid at Maharashtra CM’s relative Shridhar Madhav Patankar’s firm pic.twitter.com/YlJKopL1Uh
– ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2022
Earlier in the day, the ED announced that it had granted a preliminary order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to attach 11 residential properties at Shree Saibaba Grihanirmiti Private Limited’s Neelambari project in Thane, near Mumbai. Patankar “owns and controls” Shree Saibaba Grihanirmiti Private Limited, according to the statement.
According to the agency, cash allegedly diverted off in a money laundering case being probed against a company named Pushpak Bullion were “parked” in Shree Saibaba Grihanirmiti Pvt. Ltd. real estate projects.
(With ANI Inputs)