Mumbai Court Grants Bail To Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut In Money Laundering Case

A special court in Mumbai has granted bail to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in a money laundering case pertaining to the Patra Chawl redevelopment project.

Special Judge M G Deshpande, designated to hear cases pertaining to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), allowed the bail plea of Raut after hearing arguments from both sides.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Rajya Sabha member Raut in July this year for his alleged role in financial irregularities in connection with the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl (row tenement) in suburban Goregaon.

He is currently in judicial custody and lodged at the Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai.

Raut had in his bail plea claimed the case against him was a perfect example of "abuse of power" and "political vendetta".

The ED had opposed Raut's plea, saying he played a major role in the money laundering case related to the Patra Chawl redevelopment and acted "behind the curtains" to avoid the money trail.

The ED's probe pertains to alleged financial irregularities in the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl and related financial transactions involving his wife and associates.

The ED had said that evidence suggests Sanjay Raut may have played a crucial role in siphoning off proceeds of crime in the case and that Raut along with other officials associated with the redevelopment of Patra Chawl was present at a meeting called by the then-chief minister in 2007 to discuss the financial implication of the multi-crore project.

The ED had also said that Raut acted "behind curtains" in the alleged scam.

With PTI inputs