Patra Chawl scam case: Sanjay Raut's judicial custody extended by 14 days

Monday has brought bad news for Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut as a Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court extended his judicial custody by 14 days in connection with the Patra Chawl land scam case. He will be in judicial custody till October 3.

Earlier, Raut’s judicial custody was extended on September 5 by 14 days which ended today, following which he was produced before the court. The Shiv Sena MP was first sent to judicial custody on August 8.

The special court will hear the bail plea of Raut on September 21. Today, Following the court’s directive the Enforcement Directorate handed the chargesheet copy to Raut’s lawyer. Raut was arrested by the ED on August 1 in connection with alleged financial irregularities in the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl in suburban Goregaon.

After being in the ED's custody initially, the Shiv Sena leader was sent to judicial custody for 14 days on August 8. On 22 August, a special PMLA court extended Raut's custody till September 5 which has now been further extended till September 19ED officials raided the Shiv Sena leader's home on July 31, and after detaining and questioning him for several hours, arrested him on August 1.

The MP's wife Varsha Raut was also summoned by the central agency after the ED officials raided the Shiv Sena leader's home and after detaining and questioning him (Sanjay Raut) for several hours, arrested him.

In April this year, the ED had attached immovable properties worth Rs 11.15 crore, including a flat at Dadar, held by Sanjay Raut's wife Varsha and eight land parcels at Kihim near Alibag, jointly held by the latter with Swapna Patkar.