Raids On 'Aides' Of Uddhav Thackeray's Son And Party Leader Sanjay Raut Over Alleged Scam Flagged By BJP Leader

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Wednesday (21 June) in connection with the alleged Rs 100-crore Covid centre scam, which was flagged by a senior BJP leader.

The raids targeted a personal assistant of Uddhav Thackeray's son Aaditya Thackeray and a "close associate" of his party leader Sanjay Raut, as reported by NDTV.

Officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are among those whose properties are being searched in at least 15 locations in Mumbai and adjoining areas by the ED.

The alleged scam involves the BMC awarding contracts for managing jumbo Covid centres to businessman Sujit Patkar's Lifeline Hospital Management Services.

Patkar and his three partners were awarded the contracts despite having no experience in running such centres, according to a complaint filed by senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya.

Patkar is said to be a close associate of Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut.

The ED is also searching the Chembur residence of Suraj Chavan, who is a personal assistant of Thackeray.

Shiv Sena workers protested against the ED and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde upon learning of the raid.

In a video message, Somaiya said, "I have found out from media reports that the properties owned by the company of Sanjay Raut's partner Sujit Patkar and those of Mr Patkar's partners are being raided in connection with the ₹ 100-crore Covid centre scam. Hisab to dena hi hoga (an account will have to be given)."

Asked about the raids, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in Marathi, "I am not aware what proceedings are on. A scam has come to the fore regarding the Covid centres built by the BMC. Shocking information that is coming in points to the centres being run by companies with no experience. They have played with people's lives."

"I believe raids must be on against people connected to the scam," he added when asked specifically about Chavan.

Raut filed a criminal defamation complaint against Somaiya on 12 June in a Mumbai court. He accused Somaiya of posting defamatory tweets against Raut since 2022.