New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday (July 31) detained Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in connection with Patra Chawl land scam case, hours after conducting searches at his residence in Mumbai, ANI reported. Several party leaders were present on the spot when the ED officials were taking Raut with them. Earlier in the morning today, ED sleuths, along with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, had reached Raut's 'Maitri' bungalow in Mumbai and began the search.


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Raut, senior Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha member, has maintained that he has not done anything wrong and claimed that he was being targeted due to "political vendetta".



Shortly after ED began its searches at his premises at 7 am, Raut tweeted, "I swear by late Balasabheb Thackeray that I have nothing to do with any scam." He added, "I will die but won't leave Shiv Sena." 


The ED searches came after Raut skipped the central agency's two summons linked to the alleged irregularities in the re-development of the Mumbai 'chawl' and related transactions concerning his wife and 'associates'. He had sought time till August 7 citing Parliament-related commitments, IANS reported. 


Alleging "conspiracy to finish off Shiv Sena, party chief Uddhav Thackeray had said earlier that ED may arrest Sanjay Raut."ED guests are at Sanjay Raut's house. He may get arrested. What conspiracy is this? Shiv Sena gives strength to Hindus and Marathi people and hence there is a conspiracy to finish off the party," the former Maharashtra Chief Minister was quoted as saying by PTI. 


Reacting to the raids at Raut's residence, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said he should not fear if he is innocent. "Raut has declared that he has not done anything wrong. If that is so, why fear a probe? Let it happen. Why fear if you are innocent?" Shinde said. 


(With agency inputs)