Varsha Raut, the wife of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, allegedly received a sum of Rs 67 lakh from the wife of Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank scam accused Pravin Raut, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials claimed on Friday.
The ED further claimed that PMC bank scam accused Pravin Raut siphoned off Rs 95 crore through illegally availed loans and advances in the name of Housing Development Infrastructures Ltd (HDIL) from PMC Bank.
“There was no document or agreement in support of these payments made to Pravin Raut. Further, as per the ledger of HDIL, the funds were given to Pravin Raut for acquiring land in the Palghar area. The investigation also revealed that Pravin Raut paid an amount of Rs 1.6 crore to his wife Madhuri Pravin Raut from the proceeds of crime,” said the ED.
Out of this Rs1.6 crore, Pravin Raut wife Madhuri Raut transferred Rs55 lakh as an interest-free loan to Varsha Raut, wife of Sanjay Raut. Later, Rs50 lakh were transferred on December 23, 2010, and Rs 5 lakh on March 15, 2011.
“The amount was utilised for purchase of a flat in Dadar East, Mumbai. The investigation has revealed that Varsha Sanjay Raut and Madhuri Pravin Raut are partners in M/s Avani Construction. Varsha Sanjay Raut has received Rs 12 lakh from this entity (as overdrawn capital converted to loan) on a contribution of mere Rs 5625. The loan amount of Rs 12 lakh still remains outstanding,” added the ED.
A notice has been sent to Varsha Raut asking for her to appear before ED for questioning on January 5.
The ED on Friday attached properties worth Rs 72 crore linked to Pravin Raut under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) in the PMC Bank scam, officials said.
Earlier, several properties of Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan, Wadhawan family trust and others worth Rs 293 crore were attached and jewellery worth Rs 63 crores was seized.
