Mumbai, October 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to order an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Maharashtra Police into allegations of a ₹500 crore payout involving Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
In a two-page letter to Shah on Monday, Raut called for a probe into the alleged source and movement of the money and sought action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Raut cited allegations reportedly made by Jarange Patil on October 20 that Shinde had received ₹500 crore from senior BJP leaders in Maharashtra, allegedly intended to be routed to the activist through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, Eknath Shinde’s son, to end or silence his agitation ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
According to Raut, the money allegedly never reached Jarange Patil, raising questions about its source and whereabouts. He also referred to an audio clip released by the activist, describing it as evidence warranting an investigation. The allegations have not been established as fact.
In a post on X, Raut questioned where the alleged funds originated and whether they had reached Jarange Patil. He argued that the matter warranted scrutiny under money-laundering laws.
Raut also compared the issue with the investigation launched in 2021 after former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh alleged that then-Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had set a ₹100 crore monthly collection target for police personnel. Raut said the alleged ₹500 crore transaction required an equally serious response from investigative agencies.
He urged Shah to direct the agencies to trace the alleged money trail, examine the roles of those named in the allegations and make the findings public.
FOLLOW NOW
