ED conducts raids linked to money laundering case against NCP MLA Hasan Mushrif
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Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday raided multiple locations in Maharashtra linked to the money laundering probe against NCP legislator Hasan Mushrif.
Officials said the searches are related to alleged irregularities in the operations of some sugar mills associated with Mushrif. ED officials have been at premises in Mumbai, Pune, and Kolhapur since 6.30 am. Mushrif via an Instagram video asked his supporters to not obstruct the investigation.
He said he was not aware of the case for which the ED action is being undertaken. The sugar mills are run by his relatives and daughter along with some cooperatives.
He told the media that in 2019, the income tax department carried out raids against him which led to two allegations against him. One was about ownership and the other was about benami assets. In both cases, the courts have stayed the proceedings. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that the anti-benami transactions law cannot be applied retrospectively. The Centre has filed a review petition against this order.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiaya in 2021 alleged that Mushrif indulged in corrupt practices by holding benami entities. The NCP had dismissed the accusations.
The 68-year-old NCP MLA is from the Kagal constituency in Kolhapur. He is also the vice president of the party headed by former CM Sharad Pawar. He is also the former rural development minister.