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Mumbai police has imposed section 144 of CrPC (banning unlawful assembly) outside the ED office.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, on Thursday reached the agency’s office in south Mumbai with his family members in tow.

The MNS leader reached the ED office around 11.30 a.m., accompanied by wife Sharmila, son Amit and daughter-in-law Mitali. After Mr. Thackeray entered the office alone, his family members camped at a nearby hotel.

Mumbai police has imposed section 144 of CrPC (banning unlawful assembly) outside the ED office.

The move was taken apprehending law and order problem, a police official said. “Raj [Thackeray] has appealed his party workers not to throng outside the ED office but we don’t want to take any chances,” the official said.

Meanwhile, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande, wearing a tee shirt with “EDiot Hitler” emblazoned on it, was taken into custody by police Thursday morning.

“We have imposed section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code under the jurisdiction of Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg Police Station, where the ED office is located,” the official said.

Section 144 prohibits assembly of more than four persons in an area where there is likelihood of breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquility, he said.

Mr. Thackeray has appealed the party workers not to protest over the issue, there are possibilities of gathering of supporters outside the ED office, the official said.

“The area outside the ED office has been covered with barricades from three sides of the building and there is just one way to enter or exit,” the official said.

Police personnel have been deployed in Dadar area in central Mumbai and other places where MNS has stronghold, to maintain law and order, the official said.

Mumbai police on Wednesday served notices to MNS functionaries and several party workers under section 149 of CrPC as a precautionary measure, he said. Section 149 pertains to prevention of cognisable offences.

The ED is probing alleged irregularities relating to loans and equity investment worth over ₹450 crore by IL&FS in Kohinoor CTNL Infrastructure Company, which is developing Kohinoor Square tower in Mumbai’s Dadar area.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and senior Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi’s son Unmesh Joshi was also summoned by the ED in this case.