MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik and his son Vihang failed to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday for questioning in connection with a money laundering case.
The ED had summoned Vihang for the fifth time on Thursday, but he failed to show up saying his wife was unwell. Sarnaik had earlier sought a week’s time saying he had returned home from a trip and was under quarantine.
ED officials declined to comment on their next course of action.
The ED had collected several documents during the investigation, including a foreign bank account in the name of Pratap Sarnaik and wanted to confront him about it. It is stated that ED officials also found suspicious transactions and companies associated with Sarnaik.
Meanwhile, the ED moved Bombay high court to challenge an order of a special holiday sessions judge passed on November 29 rejecting its plea for extension of remand of Amit Chandole, an aide of Sarnaik.
The trial Judge had sent Chandole to judicial custody till December 9, which ED said was “hampering its investigation.” The agency is seeking orders from HC for Chandole’s custody to continue its probe. The Bombay high court will hear the matter on Friday.