Maharashtra Minister Seeks 14 Days' Time To Appear Before Probe Agency

Maharashtra Transport Minister Anil Parab on Tuesday sought 14 days' time to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case.

In a communication to ED, Mr Parab said he could not appear before the agency today due to his pre-scheduled engagements.

The ED on Sunday had summoned Mr Parab in connection with a money laundering case. "He has been asked to appear before the agency on Tuesday," the ED said in a statement.

The summons came days after a viral video clip surfaced in which Mr Parab can be seen ordering police officers to arrest Union Minister Narayan Rane without delay. Maharashtra BJP MLA Ashish Shelar had also accused Mr Parab for the brief arrest of Mr Rane and demanded a CBI inquiry into the arrest and the entire procedure of action.

Following the issuance of ED's summon, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said the judicial action was anticipated as Mr Parab is the Guardian Minister of Ratnagiri where Mr Rane was arrested.

"As expected, Anil Parab was issued an ED notice as soon as the Jan Ashirwad Jatra was concluded. The central government has begun its work. The epicentre of the earthquake was reported in Ratnagiri. (Mr) Parab is the Guardian Minister of Ratnagiri. Please understand the chronology. We will fight the legal battle with the law...Jai Maharashtra,"Mr Raut tweeted.

Referring to a viral video clip of Mr Parab, Mr Raut said, "Anil Parab is the Guardian Minister of Ratnagiri, he can give orders to anyone. I haven't seen the clip and don't consider Anil Parab's clip as evidence."

Mr Rane was arrested in Ratnagiri district, earlier on Tuesday, after FIRs were filed against him for making alleged controversial remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

However, the Union minister was later granted bail by the Magistrate Court in Mahad in Raigad district. The court has ordered Mr Rane to be present at the Ratnagiri police station for inquiry on August 31 and September 13.