An 8-hr drama

Security personnel at Tulip Society are quite familiar to notices being sent to Hasan Ali Khan’s residence. And most of the time their reply to visitors was: Khan is out of station. As the guards kept saying Khan was in Mumbai,in a private hospital,his car,escorted by those of the Enforcement Directorate officials emerged from the gates of Valentina Society at 4.20 pm.

As many as 14 ED officials searched the residence for about eight hours starting 8.30 am on Monday. “They came in three Toyota Innova vehicles accompanied by Khan’s CA and a servant,” a guard said. It was a long day for Khan’s neighbours,who by now are used to the presence of media personnel. They curiously watched from their balconies as the drama unfolded.

The team that ordered lunch at about 2 pm was at Khan’s residence till about 4.20 pm.

The first car that came out zoomed towards the petrol pump and after filling petrol,four officials split into two groups of two each. One moved towards Mumbai and the other towards Pune city. It was a surprise for those present when behind the remaining two cars emerged Khan’s car,a black Mercedes,one amongst his fleet that includes Porches. Wearing sunglasses,Khan,in white kurta was accompanied by wife Rheema while an ED official was on the front seat.

“The cars zoomed towards Mumbai via Koregaon Park-Pune-Station- Sancheti-Baner route,” witnesses said.