ED To Grill Mumbai Ex-Mayor Kishori Pednekar, Sanjay Raut's Brother Over Covid 'Scams'

ED will question former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar over Covid body bag scam case and Shiv Sena UBT MP Sandeep Raut in the Covid Khichdi scam case.

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday will question former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar in connection with the Covid body bag scam and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's brother Sandeep Raut in the Covid Khichdi scam case, reported ANI. 

This comes after Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) leader Kishori Pednekar failed to appear before the ED on January 25. The ED has alleged that a company was selling body bags for Covid victims for Rs 2,000 in the market. However, the same company was giving the product to the Central Procurement Department for Rs 6,800. The contract was signed by the then Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation mayor Pednekar.

Sandeep Raut was asked to appear before the federal agency on January 30 for questioning in the Covid Khichdi scam. As per ANI, ED alleges that BMC awarded 'khichdi' contracts (contracts to supply khichdi/porridge/hotch potch) to the associates of individuals connected to some politicians. The agency further stated that suppliers cheated the BMC by supplying less than the agreed quantity of the feed while submitting inflated bills

The ED's summons have come after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Suraj Chavan and an alleged close aide of party leader Aaditya Thackeray were sent to ED custody in the case. Chavan was allegedly involved in financial irregularities worth Rs 1 crore linked to the distribution of "khichdi" to migrant workers during the pandemic. 

In June 2023, ED raided 15 locations in Mumbai, including Chavan's house, and recovered several documents in connection with the scam. 
Aaditya Thackeray slammed the BJP-led NDA government in response to Chavan’s arrest in connection with the alleged BMC Khichdi Covid 'scam' case. The former minister and party MLA said that all corruption stains are 'washed' clean when Opposition leaders are put through the BJP's 'washing machine'.

Meanwhile, raids were also conducted at locations associated with some officials of the BMC and some other people, including IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal, in connection with the Covid-19 hospital management contracts, reported ANI.