MUMBAI: Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal’s difficulties are likely to multiply after the Enforcement Directorate on Monday arrested former MP Samir Bhujbal, his nephew, and conducted searches at nine places with which he and his MLA son Pankaj are associated. The raids were related to allegations of money laundering. The searches took place on a day when the Bhujbals left for Washington to participate in a three-day meet to discuss issues like social justice, education and inclusive society. His office claimed the US Congress was organising the meet.
Samir Bhujbal was arrested after over six hours of questioning under the provision of the PMLA at the agency’s office in Ballard Tiar. He will be produced in court Tuesday, official sources said. They said he was not cooperating and hence his custodial interrogation was necessary.
The ED action came four days after the High Court sought a progress report within four weeks on the probe against the Bhujbals. The agency filed two FIRs against the Bhujbals under the PMLA, based on FIRs filed by the city police to probe irregularities in the construction of the Maharashtra Sedan in Delhi.