X: @the_news_21
In a significant development, at least four teams from the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) conducted raids on Thursday morning at the residence, office, and a business location associated with Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Rajan Salvi. The operation is reportedly linked to an alleged case of ‘benami properties.’
Led by Ratnagiri ACB officer Sushant Chavan, the teams simultaneously searched Salvi’s home, where his brother Deepak Salvi and an associate were present. The ACB, comprising nearly 17 officers, conducted the raids at three locations in connection with an alleged case involving wealth exceeding Rs 3 crore. This amount is purportedly at least 118 percent more than Salvi’s known sources of income, according to an official statement.
Reacting to the raids, Salvi addressed the media, claiming that he is being targeted for resisting political pressures and not switching allegiance to the ruling Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Salvi stated that his wife Anuja and son Shubham have also been implicated by the ACB, and he warned that the government would face consequences for its actions.
Despite the pressure, Salvi asserted his resilience, vowing, “You can book me in any case, arrest and jail me, but you cannot target my family members in this manner.” He accused the government of exerting pressure but affirmed that he would not succumb to it.
Salvi revealed that Shiv Sena Party President and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray called him expressing full support during this crisis. Salvi, who had been questioned by the ACB on multiple occasions, declared yesterday that he would no longer attend any ACB summonses and dared them to take whatever action they deemed fit.
This ACB operation follows closely on the heels of the Enforcement Directorate’s arrest of a close aide to SS-UBT ex-minister and MLA Aditya Thackeray in Mumbai earlier today. Leaders from the Shiv Sena, including Thackeray Jr., Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut, MP, MLA Vaibhav Naik, and ex-Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar, criticized the government for selectively targeting their party leaders through misuse of probe agencies.
Sanjay Raut emphasized that both Salvi and MP Rajan Vichare are facing scrutiny from central agencies due to their refusal to join the ruling Shiv Sena. He warned that the people of the state are closely observing these developments and will respond fittingly in the upcoming elections.
