The Enforcement Directorate (ED) embarked on an investigative operation in Mumbai on Wednesday, probing the Khichdi scam that unfolded during the Covid-19 pandemic. This investigation led to searches at eight different locations, including the residence of a senior Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official and Suraj Chavan, a close associate of Aaditya Thackeray.
Suraj Chavan had already faced a raid at his residence in June, and he was also subjected to questioning in connection with the Covid jumbo centers scam. Concerns have arisen regarding Chavan's alleged influence over BMC officials in the awarding of contracts to specific contractors during the COVID-19 period. Moreover, there are suspicions of kickbacks associated with these contracts.
ED officials are also carrying out searches at the former Ward Officer of BMC, Sangeeta Hasnale's residence, according to reliable sources.
Earlier, India Today reported that the Enforcement Directorate had registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) related to the Khichdi supply contract scandal, which involves several individuals and entities.
In the preceding month, the Mumbai Police initiated a case concerning the Khichdi scam, targeting Sujit Patkar, a close associate of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, along with Sunil, also known as Bala Kadam and Rajiv Salunke from Sahyadri Refreshments. Sujit Patkar is additionally accused in the Covid Center case, which has been under investigation by both the Mumbai Police and the Enforcement Directorate.
The essence of this case revolves around suspected irregularities in the awarding of contracts for the distribution of 'khichdi' to migrant populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the estimated scam value standing at approximately 6.37 crores. Patkar and his associates are suspected of deceiving the BMC by falsely asserting that they had supplied khichdi to the specified number of migrants, as stated in their submitted invoices.
This marks the third investigation into irregularities within the BMC during the COVID-19 pandemic, where substantial sums of money were disbursed to contractors, along with allegations of kickbacks involving government officials, politicians, and their associates. Another ongoing case involves former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar, under whose leadership body bags costing Rs 600 each were procured for Rs 6800 from a particular contractor.
The Enforcement Directorate also recently filed a chargesheet against six individuals in the Covid Center case, which includes Sujit Patkar. According to sources, Patkar and his associates deployed only 35 to 40 percent of the required workforce, including doctors, nurses, and support staff, at Covid Jumbo Centers in Dahisar and Worli. They allegedly fabricated documents to falsely assert the necessary workforce, leading to payments of around Rs 31 crores, of which approximately Rs 22 crores were later diverted to other accounts.
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