ED Attaches Properties Worth Rs 73.62 Crore in Patra Chawl Scam Investigation
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently attached immovable properties valued at Rs 73.62 crore belonging to Pravin Raut and his associates, in connection with the money laundering investigation of the Patra Chawl redevelopment scam in Mumbai. This latest action brings the total value of properties attached in the case to Rs 116.27 crore. The properties, located in various parts of Maharashtra including Palghar, Dapoli, Raigad, and Thane, are linked to Pravin Raut, a close associate of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who was identified as a key figure in the scandal.
Pravin Raut, who served as the director of Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd (GACPL), the firm handling the redevelopment, is accused of diverting Rs 95 crore of the crime’s proceeds to his personal accounts. These funds were used to acquire land parcels either in his own name or through his firm Prathmesh Developers, and portions were also gifted to his family members. Both Pravin Raut and Sanjay Raut were arrested by the ED in 2022 but later released on bail.
The investigation is rooted in a complaint by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) about irregularities in the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl Project, which was meant to rehabilitate 672 tenants. However, the developers allegedly sold the project’s Floor Space Index fraudulently, collecting Rs 901.79 crore without fulfilling their obligations to the displaced tenants or MHADA, leading to significant financial misconduct under the guise of redevelopment.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
