Covid-19 probe: ED arrests Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Suraj Chavan

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Suraj Chavan, a Shiv Sena party functionary, in connection with a money-laundering case related to irregularities in the distribution of khichdi to migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chavan, perceived to be close to Aaditya Thackeray, is under investigation over alleged financial transactions related to the receipt of consultancy charges from an accused firm.

The ED initiated its investigation based on a September 2023 FIR filed by the Mumbai police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), which alleged irregularities amounting to ₹6.37 crore in the Khichdi distribution case. The documents of the firm reportedly indicated payments for consultancy charges. Chavan denies any wrongdoing and is the first individual to be arrested by the ED in connection with this case.

The agency had previously questioned a BMC deputy municipal commissioner, who held a position during the planning of the khichdi contract. The ED aims to trace the end beneficiaries of the proceeds of the alleged crime. The investigation is part of a broader probe into the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) ₹4,000-crore expenditure on Covid-19-related contracts.

The ED suspects that contractors supplied khichdi to the BMC at inflated rates with the assistance of certain civic officials now under scrutiny. Additionally, there are allegations that political middlemen facilitated the contractors in securing the supply contract in exchange for kickbacks. It is claimed that the awarded contractor did not meet the criteria, lacked a food license, and subcontracted the work to another firm. Further, there are allegations that the distributed food packets were supposed to weigh 300 grams but were found to be lighter.

कोविड-19 जांच: ईडी ने शिवसेना (यूबीटी) कार्यकर्ता सुरज चव्हाण को गिरफ्तार किया।