In recent developments, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stated that the Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik has received kickbacks of over ₹7 crores from TOPS Group for allegedly facilitating its contract of ₹175 crores with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
This comes after spearheading the investigation into an alleged money laundering case related to a private company, 'Tops Security'. Moreover, the ED on Thursday, November 26, arrested a close aide of the Shiv Sena MLA, Amit Chandole with regards to the same.
Chandole, who is the promoter of Tops Securities Group, was arrested after the central agency conducted raids at around 10 locations in Mumbai and Thane on November 24. In addition, the ED has found evidence of suspicious transactions between the Tops Group and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik.
Earlier on Wednesday, November 25, the ED summoned the Shiv Sena MLA in connection with a money laundering case, a day after conducting raids at his residence. His son, Vihang Sarnaik, who was interrogated for five hours on Tuesday, was also been summoned by the agency. As per reports, the agency was probing a case linked to a security company named TOPS Group, along with its promoters and related members which included some politicians.
In response to the raids, the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra had earlier accused the Centre of using central agencies to arm-twist political opponents. However, the BJP has responded by stating that the central agencies would not take such action without concrete evidence and put their credibility at stake.
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