This is an archive article published on November 18, 2024
Covid jumbo centre scam: Court rejects bail plea of accused Sanjay Raut aide Sujit Patkar
Patkar had sought bail stating that the firm Lifeline Hospital Management Services Ltd was established to apply for tenders, and bids were placed to offer services to jumbo centres in Worli and Dahisar.
A special court on Monday rejected bail to Sujit Patkar, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged Covid jumbo centre scam. It observed that while there was a need to step forward to save lives during the Covid-19 pandemic, the accused had instead played with the lives of people by understaffing Covid centres.
The ED had arrested Patkar, an alleged aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on July 19, 2023, claiming that he and other accused had obtained a contract to run a Covid centre in Mumbai during the pandemic but understaffed the centre, cheating the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
“During the pandemic, it was the need of the society that a person stood forward and saved lives…. The accused (Patkar) with his partners stepped forward trying to show that they want to save lives but entered into criminal conspiracy and played with the lives of people at large by under-deployment of doctors and staff with the only intention to cheat the BMC and generate proceeds of crime by fake bills and vouchers, and therefore he is not entitled for being released on bail,” special judge A C Daga said in the order on Monday.
Patkar had sought bail stating that the firm Lifeline Hospital Management Services Ltd was established to apply for tenders, and bids were placed to offer services to jumbo centres in Worli and Dahisar. Patkar said that each of the partners in the firm were given specific roles and he was given the job of conducting back-office operations, advisory tasks and attending pre-bid meetings. Patkar said that other partners were given the responsibility of operating and managing the centres and other tasks. He sought bail on grounds of parity and others were granted bail.
The ED, through special public prosecutor Kavita Patil said that Patkar, had obtained clearances of pending bills in connivance with BMC officials and the accused had submitted fake and fabricated attendance sheets. The ED also claimed that parts of the proceeds of the crime were diverted to the personal account of Patkar.
The court said that prima facie, it appeared that a false list was prepared to show a higher number of patients and employees and that false vouchers were given to BMC. The court relied on various witness statements on the centres being understaffed. It said that Patkar was actually involved in the commission of the offence and took part in decisions, including liasoning with BMC officials and creating attendance sheets and vouchers. The court also said that the accused cannot claim that the trial will get delayed and that the ED must be given an opportunity to begin the trial and complete it. It said that if there was no progress in the next 6-8 months, the accused could apply freshly for bail.
Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues.
Expertise
Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports.
Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on:
Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system.
Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on:
Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates.
Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children.
Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions.
Experience
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Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism.
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