Rajya Sabha MP and leader of Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena, Sanjay Raut, was granted bail by a local court in Maharashtra in a case related to the redevelopment of a chawl in Mumbai.
The order was passed by Special Judge M.G. Deshpande.
Earlier, ED had summoned Raut for questioning in the re-development of Patra chawl and related transactions involving his wife and associates.
Raut was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 31 in connection with the money laundering case.
He moved for bail on September 7, claiming that the ED’s case against him was filed to crush the opposition faced by the ruling party.
He also contended that the amount of Rs 1.06 crore shown as proceeds of crime was accounted for and explained.
The agency, on the other hand, contended that the offence in the present case was for Raut’s private gain at the cost of public fund.
The Central agency also contended that Raut played a major role in the offence through his proxy and alleged aide Pravin Raut.
On August 4 this year, the court had extended Raut’s remand till August 8.
Pravin Raut, a close associate of Raut, was already under arrest. ED also attached properties belonging to Varsha Raut, Sanjay’s wife.
The Rajya Sabha member reportedly did not answer the summons earlier, citing the ongoing session of Parliament. A search and seizure operation was then conducted at Raut’s Bhandup residence.