Sanjay Raut Seeks ED Probe into Alleged Rs 500-Crore Scam Involving Eknath Shinde, Son and BJP Leaders

Mumbai, Oct 26 : Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to order an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into an alleged Rs 500-crore financial scam involving Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his son and MP Dr Shrikant Shinde, and senior BJP leaders.

In a two-page letter dated October 26, Raut sought an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), referring to an audio clip released by Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil on October 20.

According to Raut, Jarange Patil allegedly claimed that before the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Shinde had received Rs 500 crore from senior members of the BJP's core team. The money was reportedly intended to be routed to the activist through Dr Shrikant Shinde to persuade him to withdraw his agitation for Maratha reservation.

However, Raut alleged that the money never reached Jarange Patil and questioned what happened to the funds.

Describing the allegations as serious, Raut sought a detailed investigation to establish who provided the money, its source and how it was handled.

In his letter, Raut also referred to allegations made in 2021 by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh against then Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. Singh had alleged that Deshmukh asked police personnel to collect Rs 100 crore every month.

Raut pointed out that the ED had investigated the Deshmukh case despite the allegations being disputed. He argued that the alleged Rs 500-crore transaction also warranted a thorough investigation.

He urged Shah to direct both the Maharashtra Police and the ED to investigate the matter, trace the source of the alleged funds and examine their movement.

Raut also demanded strict action against anyone found guilty.

The allegations against Shinde, his son and BJP leaders have not been independently verified.