ED summons Raj Thackeray over alleged irregularities in IL&FS’ loan to Kohinoor CTNL, his exit

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray in connection with alleged irregularities in the loan given by Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) to Kohinoor CTNL.

The agency is investigating the alleged irregularities pertaining to IL&FS Group’s loan and equity investment amounting to Rs 860 crore in Kohinoor CTNL, which is one of the defaulters. Kohinoor CTNL is developing Kohinoor Square tower in Dadar (West).

ED reportedly wants to question Thackeray, who was a part of the consortium, on his exit from the group in 2008, shortly after the IL&FS surrendered its shares and booked a loss.

MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande confirmed that the party chief had been summoned and went on to claim that the ED case was just to build pressure on Thackeray.

“The ED has summoned MNS chief Raj Thackeray only to build pressure. No ED inquiry has been initiated against any top leader of BJP in last 5-6 years,” he said.

Deshpande however alleged political vendetta behind the move, adding that BJP was nervous as MNS chief Raj Thackrey was unifying Opposition parties against what he called as “Hitlershahi” (dictatorship).

“I feel Modi is the new Hitler of new India. If you question him, he will try to pressurise you. I feel our independent agencies have become BJP activists. Whoever questions BJP or speaks against it, are sent notices like this,” he added.

Deshpande stated that neither MNS nor Raj Thackeray will succumb to this type of pressure politics and will continue to fight against dictatorship with more vigor.

Apart from Thackeray, Unmesh Joshi, son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister and senior Shiv Sena leader, Manohar Joshi, has also been summoned.

Last month, NCP chief Sharad Pawar had also alleged that the central government is using central agencies to pressurise leaders of opposition parties, a claim rebuffed by both BJP and Shiv Sena.