Khichdi scam: ED raids 7 premises linked to BMC officials, contractors

The raids also extensively covered the premises of contractors and subcontractors such as Vaishnavi Kitchen/Sahyadri Refreshment in Parel, FNJ Enterprises, which operates the Persian Darbar Hotel in Goregaon, Sneha Caterers and Decorators in Mulund, Golden Star Hall and Banquet in Mulund, Fire Fighter Enterprises in Govandi, and Western India Logistics in Chembur.

The ED money laundering case is based on a criminal case filed by the Mumbai police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s close aide Sujit Patkar and six others.

It has been alleged that financial irregularities were carried out in awarding BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) contracts for the distribution of khichdi to migrant workers during the Covid-19 period.

Patkar, 46, is already in judicial custody in connection with the probe into the Covid-19 jumbo centres scam. He was arrested in July by the ED.

EOW’s FIR named Patkar, Sunil alias Bala Kadam, Sahyadri Refreshment’s Rajeev Salunkhe, Force One multi Service’s partners and employees, Sneha Caterer’s partners, then assistant municipal commissioner (planning) and other unidentified BMC officials as the accused in the case, which was registered under sections 420 (cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 34 (common intention) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

Kadam and Salunkhe were previously arrested by the EOW in connection with the Lifeline Management Service-Covid jumbo centres scam. The two were later granted bail by the court.

Earlier, the EOW had questioned Shiv Sena MLA Aditya Thackeray’s close aide Suraj Chavan in this case at the Preliminary Enquiry (PE) stage.

The probe into the khichdi scam was initiated after former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya raised objections over the BMC’s spending on khichdi during the pandemic.