Sanjay Raut Appears Before Special PMLA Court in Patra Chawl Alleged Money-Laundering Case

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut appeared before a Special PMLA court for a hearing in the Patra Chawl money-laundering case. This relates to alleged threats and tampering of witness statements. The next hearing is on October 21. Redevelopment project failed to deliver promised housing to residents.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut appeared before the Special PMLA court on Thursday in connection with the alleged money-laundering case tied to Goregaon's Patra Chawl. Complying with bail conditions, Raut attended the regular hearing. The subsequent hearing is scheduled for October 21.

Previously, witness Swapna Patkar had written to the Additional Director of the Western Region Enforcement Directorate (ED), alleging rape and life threats to alter her statements made during the investigation. In the letter, Patkar detailed threats and pressure from the accused and his associates to manipulate her testimony and property titles in favor of Sanjay Raut and his family.

Patkar had also filed a complaint with Vakola police in Mumbai, reporting that a threatening message in Marathi was thrown into her residence inside a bottle. Late one night, she discovered a broken glass bottle containing the letter after consulting with her security staff.

Significantly, Sanjay Raut is an alleged accused in the Rs 1034 crore Patra Chawl land scam. Summoned by the ED on June 28, 2022, the scam revolves around the redevelopment of Patra Chawl, originally a British-era barrack used during WWII. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) appointed Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd for the project in 2008, intending to provide housing for 672 tenants and additional units for MHADA.

However, Guru Ashish Construction misled MHADA, selling FSI to nine developers and collecting approximately Rs 901.79 crore without fulfilling their commitment to construct housing for the displaced tenants and MHADA. This led to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)