The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized properties valued at Rs 73.62 crore in the Patra Chawl redevelopment case linked to Pravin Raut, who is allegedly close to Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, the agency announced on Wednesday. These properties, located in Mumbai’s Palghar, Dapoli, Raigad, and Thane areas, were attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The case involves irregularities in the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl Project in Goregaon by Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd (GACPL). The ED’s investigation revealed financial misconduct by GACPL, which was entrusted with rehabilitating 672 tenants. Instead, the company fraudulently sold Floor Space Index (FSI) to nine developers for approximately Rs 901.79 crore without fulfilling its obligations.
Pravin Raut, a director of GACPL, diverted Rs 95 crore of the proceeds to personal bank accounts, used some for purchasing land, gifted properties to family members, and parked some with associates.
Earlier, assets worth Rs 11.15 crore belonging to Pravin Raut and Sanjay Raut were seized, along with properties in Goa valued at Rs 31.50 crore owned by Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan and Sarang Wadhawan. In total, the ED has attached immovable properties worth Rs. 116.27 crore in this case.
Pravin Raut and Sanjay Raut were arrested under PMLA in February and August 2022 respectively, but are currently out on bail. The ED has filed a Prosecution Complaint against Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan, Sarang Wadhawan, Pravin Raut, and Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd, with a supplementary complaint against Sanjay Raut, all of which have been acknowledged by the Special PMLA Court.