ED officials extorting money along with BJP leaders: Sanjay Raut

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday alleged some Enforcement Directorate officials were extorting huge sums of money from people in connivance with BJP leaders and asserted these illegalities will be exposed when his party comes to power.

Speaking to reporters, Raut further alleged Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis knows about those indulging in such illegalities.

“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.

Fadnavis shut down the special investigation team formed by the MVA government to probe this matter after he took over as state home minister (in the Eknath Shinde government in June 2022), Raut claimed.

Taking the names of some others, Raut pointed out that a former ED official, Rajeshwar Singh, was now a BJP MLA in Uttar Pradesh.

Raut said one Romi Bhagat, who he claimed worked in “affiliation” with the ED, too was involved in extortion activities and was currently lodged in Arthur Road Jail.

“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.

Speaking on the case filed in Karnataka against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in connection with the electoral bonds scheme, Raut said the action was on the directive of a local court.

An FIR was registered in Bengaluru under Indian Penal Code sections 384 (extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) against Sitharaman, BJP Karnataka chief B Y Vijayendra, party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel, ED officials and others on the order of a special court.

“It is crucial to clarify the case has not been filed because the Congress is in power (in Karnataka). The case is lodged against her based on allegations of extortion via electoral bonds. The ED officials took action action on her behalf. It is alleged that some ED officers are involved in extorting large sums of money,” Raut claimed.