'Khichdi scam' case: Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary sent to ED custody till Jan 22

A Mumbai court on Thursday remanded Suraj Chavan a Shiv Sena UBT functionary to the Enforcement Directorate ED custody till January 22 in a case linked to the alleged irregularities in the distribution of khichdi to migrants during the Covid19 period reported the PTIThe probe agency told the court that the accused managed to secure a work order for a firm for the supply of khichdi due to his proximity with a senior political leader as per the PTISuraj Chavan who is a core committee member of the Yuva Sena Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena UBTs youth wing was arrested on Wednesday evening under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA after he was questioned at the agencys office in MumbaiThe money laundering case stems from the first information report FIR of the Mumbai polices Economic Offences Wing EOW According to police the alleged irregularities took place while the contracts for providing khichdi to migrants during the Covid19 was awarded by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMCAccording to the news agency the ED represented by special public prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves told the court that when the BMC decided to distribute khichdi to the needy people during Covid19 work order was given to Sahyadri Refreshments which subcontracted it to Force One Multi Services for preparation packaging and distribution of khichdi to the respective sitesDuring the course of investigation it came to light that due to proximity of Suraj Chavan with senior political leaderinfluential persons the work order for khichdi was awarded to Force One Multi Services by the BMC Authorities the agency said according to the PTINo guidelines or criteria were followed while awarding the work order it saidThe probe agency claimed that for the supply of khichdi packets an amount of Rs 864 crore was transferred by the BMC into the bank account of Force One Multi ServicesInvestigation conducted under the PMLA revealed that Force One Multi Services generated proceeds of crime of around Rs 364 crore of which Rs 125 crore were diverted into the personal bank account of Chavan and proceeds of Rs 10 lakh into the bank account of his partnership firm Fire Fighters EnterprisesIn this manner Suraj Chavan has wrongfully acquired the proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 135 crore it saidThe EDs investigation has revealed that there was no role played by Suraj Chavan in supplying khichdiThe illegal profit generated by Force One Multi Services was distributed to the accused by showing him as an employee of the firm from financial year 201920 and funds were transferred to him as salary and some in the form of personal loansThe ED claimed that to project him as an employee of the firm two forged and backdated appointment letters were issued in the name of ChavanOn being asked about his role in influencing and contacting any BMC officer regarding allotment of workorders of khichdi supply to Force One Multi Services he was in denial and made evasive responses the probe agency said as per a PTI reportThe illegal funds acquired by the accused were used for the purchase of immovable residential and agricultural properties in his personal name which needs further examination under the PMLA the ED saidThe federal probe agency said the accused has played a very crucial role in the offence of money launderingIt sought his custody for eight days saying sustained interrogation during the custody is required to unearth the trail of funds for corroboration and confrontation with other persons involved in the caseOpposing the remand plea Chavans lawyer Harshad Bhadbhade submitted that it is not an offence to know a politically influential person Is his proximity with a politician a crime he askedThe ground of arrest is not justified it is abuse of the process of law he said adding the accused was not concerned with Sahyadri Refreshments or Force One Multi ServicesThe court after hearing both the sides remanded the accused to the Enforcement Directoratescustody till January 22with PTI inputs