Mumbai: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut was sent to 14-day judicial custody by a special court in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the redevelopment of the Patra 'chawl' (row tenement) in suburban Goregaon in the city.
The scam involves an alleged fraud worth Rs 1,034 crore. The ED has also accused Raut's wife and construction company HDIL promoter Rakesh Wadhwan of fraudulently raising money for the project. It also alleged that they had no intention of completing the tenement.
His request for food and medicines was granted by the court but it refused to pass an order regarding bedding. The judge said the jail authorities make adequate bed arrangements as per the prison manual. Considering his medical reports indicating that Raut suffers from heart disease, he is allowed access to home-cooked meals.
The 60-year-old politician was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on August 1. He was produced before special PMLA judge MG Deshpande on Monday. The central agency did not seek further extension of his custody.
He will remain in Arthur Road jail till August 22.
On Friday, Raut in a letter thanked the opposition parties including the Congress, NCP, TMC, DMK, AAP, CPI, and CPI (M) for expressing solidarity with him. Sena MP and spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi released the letter.
He wrote: "the toughest times show you who your reliable allies are." The politician added: "I am thankful for the overwhelming support given to me during the political witch-hunt and motivated attack directed against me by the central government through central agencies. My fight will continue for what is right. Neither will I bow down to pressure nor will it break my resolve to see this fight through."
Raut has denied the allegations against him. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray called his arrest vendetta politics as he was arrested amid the political fight between the two factions of Shiv Sena, one of which is led by current CM Eknath Shinde and backed by the BJP.