The Enforcement Directorate has initiated searches at seven locations connected to Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) leader and MLA Ravindra Waikar and his associates in the money laundering investigation related to the development of a luxury hotel in Jogeshwari, the agency confirmed on Tuesday.
The investigation focuses on the construction of a star hotel in Jogeshwari, involving alleged manipulation of land use conditions. In November, the Enforcement Directorate registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Waikar, labeling it the ‘Rs 500 crore 5-Star Hotel Scam.’
Waikar stands accused of deceiving the BMC of Rs 500 crore by obtaining permission to construct a five-star hotel on a plot originally designated for a BMC playground. As a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, he represents the Jogeshwari East Assembly Constituency and is known to be a close associate of Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray.
