EOW starts inquiry into Shiv Sena functionary’s complaint against ED officials

People named in the letter will be called for inquiry to verify the facts, said the officer, adding that none of the ED officers name is mentioned in the letter

Mumbai: City police commissioner (CP) Sanjay Pandey has asked the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) to inquire into the written complaint filed by Shiv Sena functionary Arvind Bhosle, accusing some unknown Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials of running extortion racket in Mumbai using one Jitendra Chandrakala Navlani.

A senior police officer said that the CP has marked the complaint to the EOW and a deputy commissioner of police attached to the EOW has started the inquiry. (Stock Pic)

A senior police officer said that the CP has marked the complaint to the EOW and a deputy commissioner of police attached to the EOW has started the inquiry.

The officer added that the DCP officer will record Bhosale’s statement and check if he wanted to say anything further and collect documents related to the allegation from him. Names of several companies have been mentioned in the letter and therefore the officer will also have to verify their identities and scrutinise their bank details.

People named in the letter will be called for inquiry to verify the facts, said the officer, adding that none of the ED officers name is mentioned in the letter, but during inquiry if involvement of anyone is found, they will inquire about him or her.

Bhosale filed the complaint on Tuesday, soon after Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut at a press conference claimed that he had exposed the biggest corruption by ED officials and listed out 70 bank transactions worth ₹58.93 crore remitted to Navlani’s accounts.

The complainant, Arvind Jagannath Bhosale, a Shiv Sena functionary, in his letter to the Mumbai police commissioner, did not name any specific ED officials. The letter said “unknown personnel of the Enforcement Directorate of the western region”.

“A key name in this network is Jitendra Chandralal Navlani. He has seven companies in which funds have come from over 100 builders. The companies, which were under ED probe, have transferred money to these seven companies. Navlani works for senior ED officials, including directors and joint directors,” Raut had alleged.

Citing an example, Raut said that in 2017, ED probed Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd. Subsequently, ₹25 crore were transferred from Dewan Housing Finance to Navlani’s seven companies. Till March 31, 2020, additionally ₹15 crore were transferred to Navlani’s companies, the documents showed.