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Tag: Sanjay Raut

  • Gujarat results on expected lines, says Raut; wonders if BJP, AAP had tacit understanding

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said the Gujarat Assembly election results, wherein the ruling BJP has put up an impressive performance, was on expected lines, and added that people suspect whether there was a tacit understanding between the saffron party and the AAP.

    Counting of votes for a new assembly in Gujarat got underway on Thursday morning, with early trends pointing to a sweeping victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that has not lost an election in the state since 1995.

    As per the latest trends of the Gujarat Assembly elections, the BJP is seen inching towards an all-time high tally of 149 seats in 182-member House; Congress ahead in 19, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 9 seats.

    Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Raut said had the AAP and other parties come together, formed an alliance or reached an understanding, then it would have been a tough battle for the BJP.

    “Gujarat results are on expected lines,” he said.

    LIVE | Assembly elections results: BJP sweeping Gujarat, in close race with Congress in Himachal

    “People have a suspicion that it must have happened that you (the AAP) take Delhi and leave Gujarat to us (the BJP),” Raut added, alluding to a tacit understanding between the two parties.

    He was referring to AAP’s victory in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls on its home turf in the national capital.

    The Rajya Sabha member also said the AAP’s victory in the MCD is “commendable”.

    “It is not easy to snatch Delhi from a party like the BJP,” he added.

    Raut, a key leader of the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, also defended Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who was virtually absent from his party’s campaign in the state.

    He said Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra had nothing to do with politics.

    Raut said in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress was giving a tough fight as per expectations, which he termed as positive.

    The BJP bagged Gujarat, lost Delhi and has to struggle in Himachal Pradesh, where the Congress would win, he claimed.

    “This is optimistic from the point of view of future polls, but only the opposition has to come together to avoid division of votes. If, by keeping aside differences, egos, the battle is contested together then the country will definitely see 2024 a change in 2024,” he said.

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said the Gujarat Assembly election results, wherein the ruling BJP has put up an impressive performance, was on expected lines, and added that people suspect whether there was a tacit understanding between the saffron party and the AAP.

    Counting of votes for a new assembly in Gujarat got underway on Thursday morning, with early trends pointing to a sweeping victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that has not lost an election in the state since 1995.

    As per the latest trends of the Gujarat Assembly elections, the BJP is seen inching towards an all-time high tally of 149 seats in 182-member House; Congress ahead in 19, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 9 seats.

    Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Raut said had the AAP and other parties come together, formed an alliance or reached an understanding, then it would have been a tough battle for the BJP.

    “Gujarat results are on expected lines,” he said.

    LIVE | Assembly elections results: BJP sweeping Gujarat, in close race with Congress in Himachal

    “People have a suspicion that it must have happened that you (the AAP) take Delhi and leave Gujarat to us (the BJP),” Raut added, alluding to a tacit understanding between the two parties.

    He was referring to AAP’s victory in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls on its home turf in the national capital.

    The Rajya Sabha member also said the AAP’s victory in the MCD is “commendable”.

    “It is not easy to snatch Delhi from a party like the BJP,” he added.

    Raut, a key leader of the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, also defended Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who was virtually absent from his party’s campaign in the state.

    He said Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra had nothing to do with politics.

    Raut said in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress was giving a tough fight as per expectations, which he termed as positive.

    The BJP bagged Gujarat, lost Delhi and has to struggle in Himachal Pradesh, where the Congress would win, he claimed.

    “This is optimistic from the point of view of future polls, but only the opposition has to come together to avoid division of votes. If, by keeping aside differences, egos, the battle is contested together then the country will definitely see 2024 a change in 2024,” he said.

  • Rahul calls up Sanjay Raut; Sena MP says such gestures becoming rare in times of political bitterness

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday said he received a call from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi who enquired about his health and claimed such gestures were becoming rare in times of “political bitterness”.

    Raut said Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, a mass contact initiative underway from September 7, is getting a massive response because he is “focussing on love and compassion”.

    The Rajya Sabha member’s praise for Gandhi comes at a time when the latter has been facing flak for his remarks on freedom fighter V D Savarkar.

    Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray last week said his party has immense respect for Savarkar and they do not approve of Gandhi’s remarks about the late Hindutva ideologue.

    Gandhi recently called Savarkar a symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He had also claimed that Savarkar helped the British rulers and wrote a mercy petition to them out of fear.

    Raut, who was recently granted bail in a money laundering case, in a tweet on Monday said, “In spite of strong differences of opinion on some issues, inquiring on your political colleague is a sign of humanity! During his busy schedule of Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhiji called yesterday to inquire abt my health.

    ‘We were worried for you’ he said (sic). ” I appreciate his empathy of feeling the pain of a political colleague who spent 110 days in jail. In times of political bitterness, such gestures are becoming rare. Rahulji is focusing on love & compassion in his yatra and hence it is getting a massive response,” he added.

    Raut was released from Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail earlier this month after a court granted him bail in a money laundering case.

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday said he received a call from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi who enquired about his health and claimed such gestures were becoming rare in times of “political bitterness”.

    Raut said Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, a mass contact initiative underway from September 7, is getting a massive response because he is “focussing on love and compassion”.

    The Rajya Sabha member’s praise for Gandhi comes at a time when the latter has been facing flak for his remarks on freedom fighter V D Savarkar.

    Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray last week said his party has immense respect for Savarkar and they do not approve of Gandhi’s remarks about the late Hindutva ideologue.

    Gandhi recently called Savarkar a symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He had also claimed that Savarkar helped the British rulers and wrote a mercy petition to them out of fear.

    Raut, who was recently granted bail in a money laundering case, in a tweet on Monday said, “In spite of strong differences of opinion on some issues, inquiring on your political colleague is a sign of humanity! During his busy schedule of Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhiji called yesterday to inquire abt my health.

    ‘We were worried for you’ he said (sic). ” I appreciate his empathy of feeling the pain of a political colleague who spent 110 days in jail. In times of political bitterness, such gestures are becoming rare. Rahulji is focusing on love & compassion in his yatra and hence it is getting a massive response,” he added.

    Raut was released from Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail earlier this month after a court granted him bail in a money laundering case.

  • Maharashtra’s political atmosphere has become polluted: Sanjay Raut

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed Maharashtra’s political atmosphere has become polluted where many people are out to “destroy” each other.

    Raut said he realised this again after coming out of jail on November 9. The Rajya Sabha member was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case on August 1 this year and granted bail by a court in Mumbai on November 9.

    On Sunday, he resumed his weekly column Rokhthok in ‘Saamana’, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faction’s mouthpiece of which he is the executive editor.

    ”There is a feeling of hatred and politicians have now reached a stage where they don’t want their opponents even to be alive. Maharashtra’s political atmosphere has become polluted where people are out to destroy to each other,” Raut claimed.

    “When I was asked about (Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader) Devendra Fadnavis’s comment that bitterness in politics has to end, I replied that he is speaking the truth and media started saying I have toned down,” the Sena leader said.

    “Democracy and freedom do not exist now, these are merely names now. Politics has become poisonous. It was not so during the British rule,” Raut claimed.

    “Today’s rulers in Delhi want to hear what they wish. Those who don’t do that are considered enemies,” he further claimed.

    “China and Pakistan are not Delhi’s enemies, but those who speak the truth and are straight are treated as enemies and such political leaders lower the country’s stature,” he added.READ | My arrest was political, such ‘vendetta politics’ never seen earlier: Sanjay Raut

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed Maharashtra’s political atmosphere has become polluted where many people are out to “destroy” each other.

    Raut said he realised this again after coming out of jail on November 9. The Rajya Sabha member was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case on August 1 this year and granted bail by a court in Mumbai on November 9.

    On Sunday, he resumed his weekly column Rokhthok in ‘Saamana’, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faction’s mouthpiece of which he is the executive editor.

    ”There is a feeling of hatred and politicians have now reached a stage where they don’t want their opponents even to be alive. Maharashtra’s political atmosphere has become polluted where people are out to destroy to each other,” Raut claimed.

    “When I was asked about (Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader) Devendra Fadnavis’s comment that bitterness in politics has to end, I replied that he is speaking the truth and media started saying I have toned down,” the Sena leader said.

    “Democracy and freedom do not exist now, these are merely names now. Politics has become poisonous. It was not so during the British rule,” Raut claimed.

    “Today’s rulers in Delhi want to hear what they wish. Those who don’t do that are considered enemies,” he further claimed.

    “China and Pakistan are not Delhi’s enemies, but those who speak the truth and are straight are treated as enemies and such political leaders lower the country’s stature,” he added.READ | My arrest was political, such ‘vendetta politics’ never seen earlier: Sanjay Raut

  • Probe agencies acting like ‘Centre’s pets’, court bail order on Raut guide for country: Uddhav

    Probe agencies acting like 'Centre's pets', court bail order on Raut guide for country: Uddhav

  • Raut dealt with unaccounted money, but can’t be termed proceeds of crime under PMLA: Court

    Raut, a close confidante of Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, walked out of the Arthur Road jail in central Mumbai on Wednesday after being granted bail.

  • My arrest was political, such ‘vendetta politics’ never seen earlier: Sanjay Raut

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: A day after his release from jail in a money laundering case, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday claimed his arrest was political and that such kind of ‘vendetta politics’ was not seen in the country earlier.

    A special court in Mumbai granted bail to Rajya Sabha member Raut on Wednesday, saying his arrest was ‘illegal’ and a “witch-hunt”.

    Raut, who was released from Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail on Wednesday after 100 days, told reporters here on Thursday that he will soon meet his party chief Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar.

    The NCP is an ally of the Thackeray-led Sena faction. Raut said he will also meet Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the coming days.

    The parliamentarian said he will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, but did not give details about it.

    ALSO READ: Held ‘illegally’, court grants bail to Raut in money laundering case

    “I was in solitary confinement, just like Savarkar and Tilak. Even my arrest was political and I used my time for a good purpose. Whatever my party, my family and I had to endure. we have suffered. My family has lost a lot. It happens in life and politics,” Raut said.

    “But the country has never seen this kind of politics. Our country was under foreign rule for 150 years, but we did not see this kind of political vendetta in the country. Even the enemies were treated nicely,” he said.

    Raut claimed the state was being run by Deputy CM Fadnavis and that the new (Eknath Shinde-Fadnavis) government had taken some good decisions.

    The ED had arrested Raut in a money laundering case related to the Patra Chawl redevelopment project.

    MUMBAI: A day after his release from jail in a money laundering case, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday claimed his arrest was political and that such kind of ‘vendetta politics’ was not seen in the country earlier.

    A special court in Mumbai granted bail to Rajya Sabha member Raut on Wednesday, saying his arrest was ‘illegal’ and a “witch-hunt”.

    Raut, who was released from Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail on Wednesday after 100 days, told reporters here on Thursday that he will soon meet his party chief Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar.

    The NCP is an ally of the Thackeray-led Sena faction. Raut said he will also meet Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the coming days.

    The parliamentarian said he will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, but did not give details about it.

    ALSO READ: Held ‘illegally’, court grants bail to Raut in money laundering case

    “I was in solitary confinement, just like Savarkar and Tilak. Even my arrest was political and I used my time for a good purpose. Whatever my party, my family and I had to endure. we have suffered. My family has lost a lot. It happens in life and politics,” Raut said.

    “But the country has never seen this kind of politics. Our country was under foreign rule for 150 years, but we did not see this kind of political vendetta in the country. Even the enemies were treated nicely,” he said.

    Raut claimed the state was being run by Deputy CM Fadnavis and that the new (Eknath Shinde-Fadnavis) government had taken some good decisions.

    The ED had arrested Raut in a money laundering case related to the Patra Chawl redevelopment project.

  • Money laundering case: After over three months, Sanjay Raut walks out of jail on securing bail

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut walked out of Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail on Wednesday evening, hours after a special court granted him bail in a money laundering case.

    He was arrested on August 1 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the money laundering case related to a housing project in suburban Goregaon.

    READ HERE | Tiger is back, says Uddhav-led Sena faction as court grants bail to MP Sanjay Raut

    At around 5 pm, Raut’s legal team dropped his bail order into the Arthur Road jail box and at about 6.50 pm, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader stepped out of the prison, where he had spent more than three months.

    A large number of supporters of the Rajya Sabha member, who had assembled outside the jail, burst into celebration as soon as he walked out of the jail and raised slogans hailing him.

    Firecrackers were set off near the jail in central Mumbai by Raut’s supporters.

    READ HERE | Bombay HC refuses urgent stay on bail to Sanjay Raut; to hear ED plea on Nov 10

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut walked out of Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail on Wednesday evening, hours after a special court granted him bail in a money laundering case.

    He was arrested on August 1 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the money laundering case related to a housing project in suburban Goregaon.

    READ HERE | Tiger is back, says Uddhav-led Sena faction as court grants bail to MP Sanjay Raut

    At around 5 pm, Raut’s legal team dropped his bail order into the Arthur Road jail box and at about 6.50 pm, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader stepped out of the prison, where he had spent more than three months.

    A large number of supporters of the Rajya Sabha member, who had assembled outside the jail, burst into celebration as soon as he walked out of the jail and raised slogans hailing him.

    Firecrackers were set off near the jail in central Mumbai by Raut’s supporters.

    READ HERE | Bombay HC refuses urgent stay on bail to Sanjay Raut; to hear ED plea on Nov 10

  • Bombay HC refuses urgent stay on bail to Sanjay Raut; to hear ED plea on Nov 10

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused to grant urgent stay on the bail granted to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut by a lower court in an alleged money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

    Stating that it can not pass such an order without hearing both the parties, the high court posted the matter for hearing on Thursday.

    A special court earlier in the day granted bail to Raut and co-accused Pravin Raut while rejecting the ED’s request to stay the effect of the order till Friday.

    The Central agency then moved the high court and sought an interim stay.

    Justice Bharati Dangre, however, refused to grant such a relief to the ED.

    “I have not even looked at the order. I don’t know on what grounds bail has been granted. I don’t know on what grounds you (the ED) have challenged the order. How can I grant a stay now without even hearing the parties even if I have to make a prima facie order now,” she said.

    READ HERE | Tiger is back, says Uddhav-led Sena faction as court grants bail to MP Sanjay Raut

    The court said it would hear the central agency’s application seeking cancellation of the bail on Thursday.

    “If after hearing, I pass an order cancelling the bail then the accused persons can be taken back in custody,” Justice Dangre added.

    The high court also asked under what legal provision it has the power to stay an order of bail.

    Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the ED, sought that the bail order be stayed till Thursday.

    To this, the court said there was no guarantee that hearing on the application would be concluded in one day.

    “The lower court took one month to hear the bail pleas and pass an order. You expect me to decide now? I don’t want any injustice done to you (ED) or them (Sanjay Raut and Pravin Raut). When you come on cancellation of bail the powers of court are limited,” Justice Dangre said.

    The judge also noted that the ED application was filed under section 439 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (cancellation of bail) and not under section 482 (quashing of order).

    “Only under section 482, the high court has inherent powers to suspend effect on bail orders,” the court noted.

    Senior counsel Aabad Ponda, appearing for Pravin Raut, opposed the ED’s application.

    The accused were not going to flee if they were released, he said.

    “One of the accused (Sanjay Raut) is a parliamentarian. The accused have roots in society. The lower court has imposed certain conditions while granting bail. No one is going to run away,” Ponda said.

    The ED arrested Sanjay Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP, on July 31 for his alleged role in financial irregularities in connection with the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl tenement in suburban Goregaon.

    He is currently in judicial custody and lodged at Arthur Road Jail in central Mumbai.

    MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused to grant urgent stay on the bail granted to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut by a lower court in an alleged money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

    Stating that it can not pass such an order without hearing both the parties, the high court posted the matter for hearing on Thursday.

    A special court earlier in the day granted bail to Raut and co-accused Pravin Raut while rejecting the ED’s request to stay the effect of the order till Friday.

    The Central agency then moved the high court and sought an interim stay.

    Justice Bharati Dangre, however, refused to grant such a relief to the ED.

    “I have not even looked at the order. I don’t know on what grounds bail has been granted. I don’t know on what grounds you (the ED) have challenged the order. How can I grant a stay now without even hearing the parties even if I have to make a prima facie order now,” she said.

    READ HERE | Tiger is back, says Uddhav-led Sena faction as court grants bail to MP Sanjay Raut

    The court said it would hear the central agency’s application seeking cancellation of the bail on Thursday.

    “If after hearing, I pass an order cancelling the bail then the accused persons can be taken back in custody,” Justice Dangre added.

    The high court also asked under what legal provision it has the power to stay an order of bail.

    Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the ED, sought that the bail order be stayed till Thursday.

    To this, the court said there was no guarantee that hearing on the application would be concluded in one day.

    “The lower court took one month to hear the bail pleas and pass an order. You expect me to decide now? I don’t want any injustice done to you (ED) or them (Sanjay Raut and Pravin Raut). When you come on cancellation of bail the powers of court are limited,” Justice Dangre said.

    The judge also noted that the ED application was filed under section 439 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (cancellation of bail) and not under section 482 (quashing of order).

    “Only under section 482, the high court has inherent powers to suspend effect on bail orders,” the court noted.

    Senior counsel Aabad Ponda, appearing for Pravin Raut, opposed the ED’s application.

    The accused were not going to flee if they were released, he said.

    “One of the accused (Sanjay Raut) is a parliamentarian. The accused have roots in society. The lower court has imposed certain conditions while granting bail. No one is going to run away,” Ponda said.

    The ED arrested Sanjay Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP, on July 31 for his alleged role in financial irregularities in connection with the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl tenement in suburban Goregaon.

    He is currently in judicial custody and lodged at Arthur Road Jail in central Mumbai.

  • Mumbai court grants bail to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in money laundering case

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: A special court here on Wednesday granted bail to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in a money laundering case pertaining to the Patra Chawl redevelopment project.

    Special Judge M G Deshpande, designated to hear cases pertaining to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), allowed the bail plea of Raut after hearing arguments from both sides.

    The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Rajya Sabha member Raut in July this year for his alleged role in financial irregularities in connection with the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl (row tenement) in suburban Goregaon.

    He is currently in judicial custody and lodged at the Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai.

    Raut had in his bail plea claimed the case against him was a perfect example of “abuse of power” and “political vendetta”.

    The ED had opposed Raut’s plea, saying he played a major role in the money laundering case related to the Patra Chawl redevelopment and acted “behind the curtains” to avoid the money trail.

    The ED’s probe pertains to alleged financial irregularities in the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl and related financial transactions involving his wife and associates.

    MUMBAI: A special court here on Wednesday granted bail to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in a money laundering case pertaining to the Patra Chawl redevelopment project.

    Special Judge M G Deshpande, designated to hear cases pertaining to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), allowed the bail plea of Raut after hearing arguments from both sides.

    The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Rajya Sabha member Raut in July this year for his alleged role in financial irregularities in connection with the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl (row tenement) in suburban Goregaon.

    He is currently in judicial custody and lodged at the Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai.

    Raut had in his bail plea claimed the case against him was a perfect example of “abuse of power” and “political vendetta”.

    The ED had opposed Raut’s plea, saying he played a major role in the money laundering case related to the Patra Chawl redevelopment and acted “behind the curtains” to avoid the money trail.

    The ED’s probe pertains to alleged financial irregularities in the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl and related financial transactions involving his wife and associates.

  • Police probing FIR against Sanjay Raut seek original audio from complainant to identify caller

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Mumbai Police probing the criminal intimidation case against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut is awaiting the original audio recorded by the woman complainant and will submit it to the forensic science laboratory in Kalina to identify the caller, an official said on Tuesday.

    A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Raut on Sunday under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including insulting the modesty of the woman on a complaint lodged by a witness in a money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate, claiming she was threatened.

    Recently, an audio clip in which a male voice can be heard threatening a woman using foul language went viral.

    The official said the complainant had submitted the audio clip to the police in a pen drive, but the police want the original audio which was recorded in 2016.

    “Once we get hold of the original recording, we will seek the help of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to establish the identity of the caller,” he said.

    Police have invoked sections 504 (insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation), and 509 (intending to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code in their FIR against Raut.

    The complainant registered her statement with the police on Sunday. She was provided security as requested by her.

    The woman had approached the police claiming she was given rape and murder threat in a typed paper, which was inserted in a newspaper delivered to her on July 15.

    The ED arrested Raut on Sunday night in connection with a money laundering case emerging from a chawl redevelopment scheme in Mumbai. He was remanded in ED custody till August 4 on Monday.

    MUMBAI: The Mumbai Police probing the criminal intimidation case against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut is awaiting the original audio recorded by the woman complainant and will submit it to the forensic science laboratory in Kalina to identify the caller, an official said on Tuesday.

    A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Raut on Sunday under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including insulting the modesty of the woman on a complaint lodged by a witness in a money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate, claiming she was threatened.

    Recently, an audio clip in which a male voice can be heard threatening a woman using foul language went viral.

    The official said the complainant had submitted the audio clip to the police in a pen drive, but the police want the original audio which was recorded in 2016.

    “Once we get hold of the original recording, we will seek the help of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to establish the identity of the caller,” he said.

    Police have invoked sections 504 (insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation), and 509 (intending to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code in their FIR against Raut.

    The complainant registered her statement with the police on Sunday. She was provided security as requested by her.

    The woman had approached the police claiming she was given rape and murder threat in a typed paper, which was inserted in a newspaper delivered to her on July 15.

    The ED arrested Raut on Sunday night in connection with a money laundering case emerging from a chawl redevelopment scheme in Mumbai. He was remanded in ED custody till August 4 on Monday.