Sanjay Raut seeks exemption to appear before ED today in money laundering case

Mumbai, July 20: Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has sought exemption from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) appearance as he will be in Delhi for the ongoing Parliament session.

"Parliament session is underway. I have sought exemption (from ED) from appearance. I will be in Delhi," said Raut.

The case linked to alleged irregularities in the re-development of a Mumbai 'chawl' and related financial transactions involving his wife and alleged associates.

The Rajya Sabha MP, who is in the Uddhav Thackeray camp, had denied any wrongdoing and alleged that he was being targeted due to political vendetta.

Raut has been asked to depose at the agency's regional office in Mumbai.

He has been questioned once in this case on July 1 and spent about 10 hours with the investigating officer during which his statement was recorded under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

"I gave full cooperation and answered all their questions. I will appear again if they call me," Raut had told reporters while exiting.

He said he was "fearless and undaunted" as he has "not done anything wrong in life".

The development comes amid a rebellion in the Shiv Sena with a tussle over party symbol and control of the organisation between former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on one side and current chief minister Eknath Shinde on the other.