The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday once again questioned Unmesh Joshi, the son of former chief minister Manohar Joshi, and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Rajan Shirodkar in connection with the IL&FS case. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police have started taking measures to ensure no law and order situation arises on Thursday, when MNS chief Raj Thackeray has been called for inquiries.
Mr. Joshi, Mr. Shirodkar and Mr. Thackeray were part of a consortium that formed Kohinoor CTNL to develop Kohinoor Mills 3, but later exited it. Meanwhile, IL&FS, in the form of investments and loans, paid out ₹860 crore to Kohinoor CTNL, of which the loans were granted without any collateral or other security.
Mr. Joshi was quizzed for the third day in a row on Wednesday, while Mr. Shirodkar for the second day. Sources said a lot of the information obtained during their questioning will be used as a basis for inquiries with Mr. Thackeray on Thursday.
Meanwhile, preparations have been initiated to ensure tight security at the ED office in Ballard Pier, where Mr. Thackeray is expected to reach around 11 a.m. on Thursday. Both approaches to the Kaiser-e-Hind building, where the ED is housed, will be barricaded.
Police officials said that even though Mr. Thackeray has appealed to his party members to stay peaceful, no chances are being taken.
“Personnel from all police stations in south Mumbai have been put on standby and several vehicles and units will be deployed outside the office. Everyone entering the area will be screened. Patrolling has also been stepped up across the city, including in known MNS strongholds, as our information indicates that MNS workers might also be planning agitations in other parts of the city,” a senior officer with the Mumbai Police said.
On Wednesday, the Dadar police issued a notice to MNS member Munaf Thakur, saying, “Our information indicates that you are planning an agitation in Dadar, which might lead to law and order situations. We hereby urge you through this notice to not take any such step.”
The notice was issued under Section 149 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which empowers the law enforcement agency to take strict action against a person if he gives rise to a law and order situation despite being issued a notice, and the notice becomes part of the evidence against him.
