BJP leaders involved in alleged money laundering case to save INS Vikrant
BJP leaders involved in an alleged case of misappropriation of funds to save INS Vikrant
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The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted interim protection from arrest to BJP leader Kirit Somaiya in a case of misappropriation of funds for savings. INS Vikrant,
The Single Bench of Justice Anuja Prabhudesai said, “The FIR indicates that the allegations are primarily based on media reports. Though there are specific allegations of embezzlement of 57 crores, there is no material on record to indicate to whom the complainant Arrived at base. Said figure.”
‘The complaint is unclear’
The bench said that prima facie, the complaint was vague on the basis of media reports as there was no complaint between 2013 and 2022.
The court directed Mr. Somaiya to cooperate in the investigation. It said that in the event of arrest, he would be released on a personal bond of Rs 50,000. He will have to report to the police station from 11 am to 2 pm for four days from April 18
Senior advocate Ashok Mundargi, appearing for Mr. Somaiya, submitted that this is a highly politicized matter.
ship scraping
The court said, “Let’s not get into that”. Mr Mundargi argued that there was an event at Churchgate railway station and a letter was sent to the governor stating that Rs 11,000 had been collected to save. INS Vikrant which had to be ended. The cost of scrapping was ₹ 60 crore and the cost of the museum was ₹ 300 crore.
“When was this”, the court asked.
Mr. Mundargi replied that it was in December 2003. He said it was alleged that the Right to Information petition was filed in 2022 and a response was received from the Governor’s office that no money was deposited during 2013-14. Then a political leader was interviewed who said that ₹57 crore had been collected. This was followed by an FIR which was registered on 7 April by an informer who claimed to be an ex-serviceman.
He pointed to a tweet by Mr. Somaiya that said Mumbaikars were ready to collect Rs 140 crore. However, there was no evidence to show that either ₹57 crore or ₹140 crore was collected by him.
‘No response from Governor’s office’
The court asked whether the money was deposited. Mr Mundargi said there was no response from the Governor’s office. So it must have been deposited somewhere.
Mr. Gupte said that this is public money. He and his son were standing on the road. ₹ 11,000 was just the tip of the iceberg. The court asked what about the figure of ₹57 crore. Mr Gupte said Mr Somaiya was not available ‘for us to trace’. “We will ask them to report you”, the court said.
The matter was adjourned till April 28.
A special court on 11 April rejected Mr. Somaiya’s anticipatory bail plea, saying there were photographs to show that he had collected money in the name of the ship; There was a letter saying that he was going to deposit money with the governor. However, he did not do so.