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Maharashtra

‘Sanjay Raut laundered proceeds of crime to the tune of over Rs 3 crore’

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The special PMLA court on Monday took cognisance of the charge sheet filed against Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut in connection with the Patra Chawl scam case and extended his judicial custody for 14 more days. In the charge sheet, a copy of which has been handed over to Raut, the Enforcement Directorate has claimed that the Sena leader knowingly indulged in laundering of proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 3,27,85,475. Raut, however, has claimed that he was not even aware about the Patra Chawl redevelopment case and came to know about the same in the past two years after he read about it in news. The ED charge sheet, filed last week before the special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court, also alleged that MHADA didn’t take any effective steps to protect the interest of the tenants.

As per the charge sheet, Raut, who is accused number 5 in the case, was directly involved in the redevelopment of Goregaon’s Siddharth Nagar, also known as Patra Chawl, through his proxy Pravin Raut who is accused number 3 in the case. “He indulged in the project from the stage of conception to execution. During the year 2006-07, Sanjay Raut has attended meetings along with MHADA officers and others for redevelopment of Patra Chawl chaired by the then Union agriculture minister and another meeting chaired by former chief minister. Thereafter, Rakesh Wadhawan [another accused in the case] was brought into the picture to execute the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl Project through M/s Guruashish Construction Pvt Ltd,” the ED stated in the charge sheet.

It further added, “In order to exercise control, Sanjay Rajaram Raut inducted Pravin Raut, his proxy and confidante, as a director in Guruashish Construction Pvt Ltd.” Pravin Raut holds 25 per cent stake in the firm, but the ED claimed that it was just an eye-wash and that Raut managed everything.

The charge sheet also has statements of more than 15 witnesses who confirmed Raut’s involvement in the Patra Chawl scam. It also includes the statement of Swapna Patkar, who was once a family friend of Raut. Patkar has recently filed a complaint against Raut for allegedly threatening her to not give a statement before ED. Patkar in her statement said that during 2008-09, Patra Chawl residents had approached NCP chief Sharad Pawar through one local politician for redevelopment and that after various meetings, Sanjay Raut and Pravin Raut along with Rakesh Wadhawan were asked to handle the project.

As per the terms of the agreement between the society and MHADA, the development authority was to rehabilitate 672 tenants in 767-sqft flats and the developer was entitled to develop sale component flats on the land belonging to MHADA. However, Guruashish Construction Pvt Ltd sold the FSI for Rs 1,034 crore before completing its obligation. The amount was transferred to the parent company viz HDIL. “Investigation into the money trail also revealed that Pravin Raut received around Rs 112 crore in his bank account from HDIL and further transferred the same in acquiring assets, diverting in the account of his business entity, family members etc. Thus, Sanjay Raut is knowingly involved,” ED has claimed.

Maharashtra

Thane: At Least 2 Killed, Six Injured After Massive Blast At Factory In Shahad

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Thane: At least 2 workers were killed and six others were seriously injured in an explosion at Century Rayon factory at Shahad in Thane district on Saturday afternoon. The injured have been rushed to local hospitals.

The police administration and fire brigade personnel have reached the spot and an investigation to ascertain the cause of the blast is underway. 

According to Thane Municipal Corporation officials, the blast took place while filling a gas container.

“A tanker of nitrogen gas was brought to the company which was supposed to be filled with CS2 (Carbon disulfide), and the blast took place during the checking of the tanker,” the police said.

Injured in critical condition

Officials said that those injured in the incident have been rushed to different hospitals and admitted there. “Condition of some of them was said to be critical, and they had to be shifted to ICU,” they added.

Locals in the vicinity reported that the explosion was so fierce that four to five houses in the surrounding areas were shaken. 

Interestingly, a barricade has been installed at the company’s gate and the media has been prevented from entering. 

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Maharashtra

Navi Mumbai: PMC Sees 148 Dengue Cases In One And A Half Months Amid Recent Spike

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Navi Mumbai: There is a continuous increase in the number of dengue and malaria patients in the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) area and according to the information received by the health department in the last one and a half months, 148 dengue and 79 malaria patients have been found.

Details On Cases Detected

In August, the highest number of dengue cases was 126 and malaria cases were 42. Similarly, in September, 22 cases of dengue and 37 cases of malaria were found in 18 days. Sources in the health department informed that these patients are mostly found in the suburbs of Kharghar and Kalamboli.

In a survey conducted by the Municipal Health Department, New Panvel is finding the highest number of dengue patients. After New Panvel, dengue and malaria cases have increased in the suburbs of Kharghar, Kamothe, Kalamboli.

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Maharashtra

Ganeshotsav 2023: Home Minister Amit Shah Likely To Visit Mumbai On Saturday To Seek Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati’s Blessings

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Mumbai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to visit the Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh pandal on Saturday. Shah is also likely to visit the home of city BJP chief Ashish Shelar at Bandra for Ganesh Aarti tomorrow. He will also visit the homes of CM Eknath Shinde and Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis for seeking Ganesha’s darshan. Special police bandobast has been ordered throughout the city.

According to reports, at 3:30 PM on Saturday, Amit Shah will embark on his visit by paying his respects at the revered Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh pandal. Amit Shah will be there for approximately 25 minutes. Given the significance of the event and its high-profile guest, the Central Security Agency and the Mumbai Police have jointly coordinated a robust security arrangement to ensure a safe environment.

This isn’t the first time that Amit Shah and his family will seek blessings at the feet of the Lalbaugcha Raja. The tradition continues this year, emphasizing the deep-rooted reverence for Lord Ganpati. After taking blessings at the Lalbaugcha Raja, Amit Shah’s tour includes a visit to the homes of BJP leaders for further darshan of Ganpati Bappa.

Detailed Schedule for the Day

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