This comprehensive biography explores the life and career of Sanjay Raut, a prominent figure in Indian politics.
Wiki/Biography
Sanjay Raut, born Wednesday, November 15, 1961 (age 62 as of 2023), hails from Alibag, Maharashtra. A Scorpio, he holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) from Mumbai’s Dr. Ambedkar College of Commerce and Economics. His academic background provided a foundation for his later political career.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5’7″
- Eye Colour: Black
- Hair Colour: Black
Family, Caste & Wife
Sanjay Raut comes from the Somvanshi Kshatriya Pathare Caste. His parents are Rajaram Raut and Savita Rajaram Raut. His younger brother, Sunil Raut, is also a Shiv Sena politician. He married Varsha Raut (a teacher) on February 16, 1993. The couple has two daughters, Purvashi and Vidhita Raut.
Career
Raut’s political journey began with his election to the Rajya Sabha in 2000, representing Maharashtra. He rose through the ranks, becoming a Shiv Sena leader in 2005 and serving on key committees, including the Committee on Home Affairs and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Civil Aviation (2005-2009). Subsequent re-elections to the Rajya Sabha in 2010 and 2016 solidified his position as a powerful political figure. His roles within these committees significantly influenced his political understanding and strategies.
Controversies
Throughout his career, Raut has been involved in several controversies. These include:
- Supporting the arrest of two women for a Facebook comment critical of a Mumbai shutdown in 2012.
- Facing accusations of inciting communal tension through an article in Saamana in 2015.
- Threatening a Jain monk in 2017 for urging support for the BJP.
- Creating controversy during a Ram Navami function in 2019 with comments about disregarding the code of conduct.
- A social media post in 2019 interpreted as a dig at the BJP after election results.
- A public spat with Kangana Ranaut following Sushant Singh Rajput’s death in 2020.
- A 2022 ED raid and arrest in connection with the Patra Chawl case.
- An FIR lodged against him in 2022 for allegedly abusing a witness in the Patra Chawl case.
- A defamation case filed against him and Uddhav Thackeray in 2024.
- Criticizing the CJI for delaying a judgement on the anti-defection law in 2024.
Address
Maitri, Friends Colony, Bhandup, Mumbai
Assets/Properties
Details regarding his assets are available through official sources.
| Asset Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Cash | 19,271 INR |
| Bank Deposits | 8.16 Lacs INR |
| Agricultural Land | 3 lands worth 1.38 crores INR in Alibag, Maharashtra |
| Residential Building (Dadar) | 1 flat worth 2.32 crores INR |
| Residential Building (Goregaon) | 1 flat worth 1.10 crores INR |
Net Worth & Salary
His salary as a Rajya Sabha member is approximately 1 Lac INR plus allowances. His net worth was reported as 14.22 crores INR in 2016. These figures are subject to change.
Car Collection
Sanjay Raut reportedly owns a Hyundai Accent (2004 model).
Facts/Trivia
Raut enjoys social service, sports, and Bollywood films. He served as the executive editor of Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece, “Saamana,” for 15 years, contributing significantly to the publication’s editorial voice. He was a close confidante of Bal Thackeray and even provided the story for the biopic “Thackeray.” He also played a key role in the Shiv Sena’s political strategies and communications, especially during periods of political uncertainty and coalition formation. His insights into party strategy and his communication skills were crucial to the party’s success and also contributed significantly to many controversies.
