Mumbai Police have slapped prohibitory orders in at least seven areas ahead of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar'ssuo moto visit to the ED office on Friday.

This is after on Tuesday the ED named Pawar, his nephew Ajit Pawar in an alleged multi-crore scam in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank Ltd.In a late-night order the police have imposed the ban under Section 144 ofthe CrPC, banning assembly of five or more persons.

The areas include: the jurisdictions of Cuffe Parade,Colaba, Marine Drive, Azad Maidan, Dongri, J.J. Marg and MRA Marg policeStation.

Though the ED has not served summons to him Pawar will go tothe ED Office in Ballard Estate at 2 p.m.

On Thursday, the NCP supremo had appealed to all hissupporters and activists not to gather around the ED office, maintain calm,co-operate with the police and investigation agencies and not to inconveniencethe public in any manner.

Since yesterday, the police have deployed massive security,erected barricades, and imposed other restrictions in parts of South Mumbai toward off any untoward incidents.

In a sensational development on Tuesday, the ED named Pawar,his nephew Ajit Pawar, besides other state political leaders and officials inthe alleged Rs. 25000-crore scam in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank Ltd.

The move -- which has been severely castigated by allopposition parties -- came ahead of the October 21 Maharashtra Assemblyelections, creating a huge political storm.

Deciding to pose a headlong challenge to the rulingBharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena combine, on Wednesday, an unfazed Pawarannounced he would voluntarily visit the probe agency office to offer fullcooperation for any investigation and experience the ED's 'hospitality'.