Sanjay Raut’s serious allegations against ED and BJP leaders

Sanjay Raut addresses a press conference against ED and central govt officials, at Sena Bhavan in Dadar on February 15. Pic/Bipin Kokate

Shiv Sena MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut has levelled serious corruption charges against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kirit Somaiya.

He told a media conference on Tuesday that he has written a 13-page letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, telling him about an extortion racket in ED. According to Raut, a complaint was lodged with the Mumbai police chief on Tuesday against the extortion nexus involving four ED officers and a person named Jitendra Navlani. The investigation has started immediately, he said.

Raut assured to name the ED officers and the BJP leaders who allegedly controlled a syndicate against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders. He said the opposition leaders in Maharashtra and West Bengal were being selectively targeted. He said he had given all information to the ED and other agencies, but they ignored it. ED has become BJP's ATM, he said, stating further that some of the officers were contesting polls on the BJP tickets and learnt to have spent huge money for the party's 50 other candidates as well.

‘Raids won't stop till polls'

"There are raids after raids in Maharashtra. There were some I-T raids today. This time we also thought of conducting a raid by making some revelations. If they can enter our homes, then we also reserve the right to enter their homes. The raids on our leaders won't stop till the elections are held. This will boomerang on the BJP," he said, adding that he will continue to write to the PM and hold press conferences to reveal more.

Raut said the companies that were searched or raided by the ED had transferred crores of rupees to the companies of Navlani. He named some companies and quoted the amount they transferred. He promised to reveal gradually the names of the officers and the amount they received.

The MP accused Somaiya of being ED's agent and connected with Navlani. He said the ex-MP was a serial complainant who blackmailed builders, developers and corporate companies. He further alleged that Somaiya had used the blackmail money to buy land for housing projects. Raut alleged that Neil Somaiya, the BJP leader's son, is a business partner of Rakesh Wadhwan, an accused in the PMC Bank fraud. He said both the father and son will be sent behind bars very soon.

I don't value such charges, says Somaiya

Responding immediately to Raut, Somaiya said he did not value the Sena leader's allegations and questioned the evidence shared with the media. He denied any connection with Wadhwan. He said his complaints to various agencies were acted upon because they had substance.