The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday questioned Unmesh Joshi, the son of former chief minister Manohar Joshi, for the second day in a row in connection with the IL&FS – Kohinoor CTNL case. Rajan Shirodkar, a senior party member of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), was also questioned in the same case.
According to sources, Mr. Joshi was called for questioning again early in the day, and reached the ED office at Ballard Estate at around 11 a.m. Officials said there were several aspects of the financial transactions made by Kohinoor CTNL during his tenure that needed to be verified. “Mr. Joshi, Mr. Shirodkar and (MNS party chief) Raj Thackeray had founded Kohinoor CTNL together and there are a lot of facts that need to be cleared with them,” an officer said.
Another officer said both Mr. Joshi and Mr. Shirodkar were questioned separately and in each other’s presence in order to pick out discrepancies in their statements, “The priority right now is to get as much evidence as possible regarding the trail of money from IL&FS to Kohinoor CTNL, and other entities where the money was diverted. We are questioning both of them based on all the documentary evidence we have,” the officer said.
The ED has also called Mr. Thackeray for questioning on Thursday and both Mr. Joshi and Mr. Shirodkar are likely to be questioned again before that.
The ED’s contention is that IL&FS has paid a total of ₹860 crore to Kohinoor CTNL, which was formed with the intention of purchasing and developing Kohinoor Mills 3, either in the form of investments or loans. The IL&FS had first invested ₹235 crore in Kohinoor but sold its share at a loss. However, it kept advancing loans to the company without any collateral.
Both Mr. Joshi and Mr. Shirodkar left from the ED premises at around 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday. “I was asked to bring certain documents which I have submitted. I will comment on other aspects of the matter at a later stage,” Mr. Shirodkar said on his way out.
Mr. Joshi said, “We are answering all the questions that we are being asked.”
Both have been called for questioning again on Wednesday, officials said.
