Raj Thackeray appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Mumbai today, in response to a summons over a case linked to the collapse of shadow bank Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS).
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief is being investigated for alleged links to a construction company, Kohinoor CTNL – which received loans and equity investments worth Rs. 450 crore from IL&FS.
Thackeray reached the probe agency along with wife Sharmila, son Amit and daughter in law Mitali, who shifted to a nearby hotel after he entered the ED building.
Mumbai Police increased security around ED offices in Ballard Estate in anticipation of party workers protesting Mr Thackeray’s summons and appearance. Section 144, which prohibits the assembly of more than four persons in an area was imposed in localities under Marine Drive, MRA Marg, Dadar, and Azad Maidan police stations.
Earlier during the day, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande and other party workers were detained by Mumbai Police in an effort to pre-empt any law-and-order problem. He was wearing a t-shirt decorated with the phrase “EDiot Hitler”. The t-shirt also had the Nazi symbol printed on it.
Party worker 27-year-old Pravin Chowgule committed suicide in Thane on Wednesday because he was upset by the ED summons. However, Thane Police said no suicide note had been recovered.
Raj Thackeray has made at least two public appeals to party workers to maintain peace and harmony after MNS workers called for a bandh to protest the ED’s summons.
Raj Thackeray received support from an unexpected quarter yesterday – from Shiv Sena chief and estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray.
Source : Various