Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday level ed serious allegations against Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, accusing them of extorting money with the support of BJP leaders. He asserted that these illegalities would be exposed when his party, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comes to power in Maharashtra.
Speaking to reporters, Raut claimed that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was aware of these activities. "One Jitu Navlani, who was employed as an agent of the ED, was involved in extorting money. Our MVA government pursued legal action against him. It is believed he had the support of both the ED and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis," Raut alleged.
He further claimed that after Fadnavis assumed the position of state home minister in June 2022, he shut down the special investigation team (SIT) that had been probing the matter under the previous MVA government.
Raut also named Rajeshwar Singh, a former ED official, who he said is now a BJP MLA in Uttar Pradesh, and Romi Bhagat, whom he accused of being involved in extortion activities in affiliation with the ED. Bhagat is currently lodged in Arthur Road Jail, according to Raut.
"Devendra Fadnavis knows these people and their deeds. He should bring it out. We (Maha Vikas Aghadi) will settle scores once we come to power. No one will be spared. The ED is the BJP's collection agent," Raut said.
Raut also commented on the FIR filed against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Karnataka, related to the electoral bonds scheme. He emphasized that the case, filed under sections of extortion and conspiracy, was initiated by a local court and was not politically motivated. "The case is lodged against her based on allegations of extortion via electoral bonds. The ED officials took action on her behalf. It is alleged that some ED officers are involved in extorting large sums of money," Raut said.
The FIR was registered under Indian Penal Code sections 384 (extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (common intention) against Sitharaman, BJP Karnataka chief B Y Vijayendra, party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel, and several ED officials.
Speaking to reporters, Raut claimed that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was aware of these activities. "One Jitu Navlani, who was employed as an agent of the ED, was involved in extorting money. Our MVA government pursued legal action against him. It is believed he had the support of both the ED and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis," Raut alleged.
He further claimed that after Fadnavis assumed the position of state home minister in June 2022, he shut down the special investigation team (SIT) that had been probing the matter under the previous MVA government.
Raut also named Rajeshwar Singh, a former ED official, who he said is now a BJP MLA in Uttar Pradesh, and Romi Bhagat, whom he accused of being involved in extortion activities in affiliation with the ED. Bhagat is currently lodged in Arthur Road Jail, according to Raut.
"Devendra Fadnavis knows these people and their deeds. He should bring it out. We (Maha Vikas Aghadi) will settle scores once we come to power. No one will be spared. The ED is the BJP's collection agent," Raut said.
Raut also commented on the FIR filed against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Karnataka, related to the electoral bonds scheme. He emphasized that the case, filed under sections of extortion and conspiracy, was initiated by a local court and was not politically motivated. "The case is lodged against her based on allegations of extortion via electoral bonds. The ED officials took action on her behalf. It is alleged that some ED officers are involved in extorting large sums of money," Raut said.
The FIR was registered under Indian Penal Code sections 384 (extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (common intention) against Sitharaman, BJP Karnataka chief B Y Vijayendra, party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel, and several ED officials.
