Suraj Chavan, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader's close aide arrested in money laundering case

MUMBAI: Suraj Chavan, a close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, arrested in a money laundering case linked to alleged financial irregularities in awarding contracts for distribution of ‘khichdi’ to migrants during the pandemic by the BMC, was remanded to Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody till January 22. He was arrested on Wednesday.The ED had called Chavan for a statement at its Ballard Estate office on Wednesday and arrested him saying he was not cooperating in the probe.
Chavan is UBT Sena’s party secretary and a core committee member of the Yuva Sena.
The ED has claimed that contractors appointed for distribution of ‘khichdi’ to the poor and migrants during the pandemic had cheated the BMC with the help of civic officials by submitting inflated bills. It is alleged that Chavan had used his influence to get many of these contracts awarded to his selected contractors. ED sources stated that Chavan was liaisoning between them and the BMC officials The ED is also investigating some payments received by Chavan and his brother.
Earlier, in June last year, the ED had searched Chavan’s residence when it also carried out searches at the premises of IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal, who was additional municipal commissioner during the pandemic, deputy municipal commissioner Ramakant Biradar, Sujit Patkar (a close friend of UBT Sena leader Sanjay Raut) in a Covid field hospital scam case. The ED had then searched Chavan again in the ‘khichdi’ scam case along with the premises of deputy municipal commissioner Sangeeta Hasnale and many others.
The ED’s money laundering case is based on a Mumbai police FIR in the ‘khichdi’ scam where it named Hasnale, Sujit Patkar, three private contractors and three others. Hasnale was then assistant municipal commissioner of the planning department of the BMC under the then additional municipal commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal and she was also holding charge of BMC’s assessment department. The planning department had awarded most of the ‘khichdi’ contracts, while the assessment department was engaged with supervising the distribution of ‘khichdi’ and food packets. Part of these works were also executed through BMC’s other department (Central Purchase Department or CPD), then headed by Biradar.
“Those who are scared join them, and those who stand for the country are being targeted by them,” Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray said, reacting to Chavan’s arrest.
The ED had called Chavan for a statement at its Ballard Estate office on Wednesday and arrested him saying he was not cooperating in the pro be. The ED will produce Chavan before the court on Thursday to seek his remand. Chavan is UBT Sena’s party secretary and a core committee member of the Yuva Sena.
The ED has claimed that contractors appointed for distribution of ‘khichdi’ to the poor and migrants during the pandemic had cheated the BMC with the help of civic officials by submitting inflated bills. It is alleged that Chavan had used his influence to get many of these contracts awarded to his selected contractors. ED sources stated that Chavan was liaisoning between them and the BMC officials The ED is also investigating some payments received by Chavan and his brother.
Earlier, in June last year, the ED had searched Chavan’s residence when it also carried out searches at the premises of IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal, who was additional municipal commissioner during the pandemic, deputy municipal commissioner Ramakant Biradar, Sujit Patkar (a close friend of UBT Sena leader Sanjay Raut) in a Covid field hospi tal scam case. The ED had then searched Chavan again in the ‘khichdi’ scam case along with the premises of deputy municipal commissioner Sangeeta Hasnale and many others.
The ED’s money laundering case is based on a Mumbai police FIR in the ‘khichdi’ scam where it named Hasnale, Sujit Patkar, three private contractors and three others. Hasnale was then assistant municipal commissioner of the planning department of the BMC under the then additional municipal commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal and she was also holding charge of BMC’s assessment department.
The planning department had awarded most of the ‘khichdi’ contracts, while the assessment department was engaged with supervising the distribution of ‘khichdi’ and food packets. Part of these works were also executed through BMC’s other department (Central Purchase Department or CPD), then headed by Biradar.
“Those who are scared join them, and those who stand for the country are being targeted by them,” Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray said, reacting to Chavan’s arrest.