Live Updates: Raj Thackeray reaches ED office; Section 144 imposed in sensitive areas

Interestingly, Raj Thackeray’s cousin, Shivsena chief Uddhav Thackeray has supported him. He said nothing will come out of the probe.

Mumbai| Amidst the possibility of a shutdown, MNS chief Raj Thackeray will appear before the Enforcement Directorate today. This week, ED had sent him a summon to appear before the probe agency in a case related to IL&FS.

Raj Thackeray’s party workers and office-bearers had also called for a bandh. However, after an appeal made by Raj Thackeray, the bandh was called off. “Since the establishment of the MNS, many cases have been registered against me and every time we have respected the investigative system and the court notices, and so this time too we will also respect the notice of ED,” Thackeray had said.

Follow the live updates here:

11.34 AM

Raj Thackeray reaches ED office

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray arrives at office of the Enforcement Directorate, to appear before it, in connection with a case pertaining to alleged irregularities related to Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS)loan to Kohinoor CTNL pic.twitter.com/VfgINaQwLD

— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2019

9.54 AM

Heavy Security outside Mumbai ED building

Mumbai: Security tightened outside Enforcement Directorate's office; Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray has been summoned by ED to appear before the agency, today. pic.twitter.com/rrkRijZ2dI

— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2019

9.45 AM

Section 144 imposed in sensitive parts of Mumbai

Section 144 imposed in various areas in Mumbai ahead of Raj Thackeray's ED visit | HW English https://t.co/82qm395L3V

— HW News English (@HWNewsEnglish) August 22, 2019

8.45 AM

MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande detained

Mumbai: Maharashtra NavNirman Sena (MNS) leader Sandeep Deshpande detained by police as a precautionary measure. MNS chief Raj Thackeray has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to appear before the agency, today. pic.twitter.com/4kIUATA6PK

— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2019

8. 40 AM

Police issues notice to MNS workers

Meanwhile, police have issued a notice to MNS workers on Wednesday. The notice was issued under section 149 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which allows the police to prevent the cognizable offences. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had also warned of govt action against those who take law in their hands. “There is no reason for Raj Thackeray to be afraid if he hasn’t done anything,” said Fadnavis.

8.35 AM

Cousin Udhhav Thackeray supports Raj

Interestingly, Raj Thackeray’s cousin, Shivsena chief Uddhav Thackeray has supported him. When asked about ED notice to Raj Thackeray, he told reporters that nothing will come out of the probe.

8.30 AM

What is the case?

The Kohinoor CTNL Company in Mumbai was bought by Raj Thackeray, Rajendra Shirodkar and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi’s son Unmesh Joshi. The Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (ILFS), a public sector company, had given a loan of Rs 860 crores to the concerned. The firm is developing Kohinoor Square tower in Dadar (West).

However, the company faced a huge loss afterwards. One of the key defaulters of IL&FS is the Kohinoor CTNL. In 2009, Thackeray too exited the company.