Mumbai, August 22: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday was grilled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case. Thackeray reached the ED office at 11:20 am and walked out at 8:15 pm after more than eight hours of questioning. The MNS leader didn't respond to the questions of media and got in his vehicle and drove to his residence.  Thane Bandh: MNS to Withdraw Call After Raj Thackeray Tells Party Workers 'Not to Create Problems For Public'.

The agency summoned Thackeray in a case of alleged irregularities related to IL&FS (Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services) loan to a company called Kohinoor CTNL. The company was promoted by Unmesh Joshi, son former Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi. IL&FS invested more than Rs 200 crore in Kohinoor CTNL and suffered loss in the deal. IL&FS Case: Crackdown on MNS Ahead of Raj Thackeray's ED Appearance.

According to PTI, the ED officials had prepared a questionnaire for Raj Thackeray to get a fair idea about his financial transactions. He was allowed to leave after recording statement in the case. Meanwhile, ED has not confirmed whether he will be called again for questioning.

Police had imposed section 144 of CrPC (banning unlawful assembly) outside the ED Office in South Mumbai and some parts of Dadar and central Mumbai. This step was taken to ensure law and order in the city. "Raj has appealed his party workers not to throng outside the ED office but we don't want to take any chances," a police official said.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray supported his cousin and said that the agency's probe will reveal nothing. "Uddhav Thackeray already made it clear yesterday that nothing concrete will be found against Raj. As Uddhav has extended support to his brother, his entire family is behind Raj Thackeray," said Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 22, 2019 09:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).