The Bombay High Court granted bail to Suraj Chavan, a Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary, in a money laundering case involving a COVID-19 food distribution scam. Chavan, arrested by the ED, had spent over a year in custody. The court emphasized his right to a speedy trial, highlighting concerns over personal liberty.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday (Feb 4th) granted bail to Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Suraj Chavan in a money laundering case related to an alleged scam in the distribution of ‘khichdi’ packets to migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Justice Milind Jadhav allowed Chavan’s bail application, citing that he had already spent over a year in jail and that the trial was unlikely to be completed “in the foreseeable future.”
“If the applicant’s detention is further continued, it would amount to the infringement of his fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution of India of a speedy trial and guarantee of personal liberty,”
the court observed.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Suraj Chavan, a key member of the Yuva Sena, the youth wing of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), in January 2024 in connection with a money laundering investigation.
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The case stems from an FIR registered by the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW), which first exposed the alleged financial irregularities.
According to the ED, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had transferred Rs 8.64 crore to the bank account of Force One Multi Services for the distribution of khichdi packets to stranded migrant workers during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The ED claims that out of the total Rs 8.64 crore, Rs 3.64 crore was misappropriated.
- Rs 1.25 crore was allegedly diverted to Suraj Chavan’s personal bank account.
- Rs 10 lakh was transferred to his partnership firm, Fire Fighters Enterprises.
The ED alleges that Chavan used Rs 1.35 crore, which it terms “proceeds of crime,” to buy property and invest in a dairy business.
The Bombay High Court, while granting bail, emphasized the importance of personal liberty and the constitutional right to a speedy trial.
Justice Milind Jadhav noted that Chavan had already spent more than a year in judicial custody and that the completion of the trial was not expected anytime soon.
The ruling brings relief to the Shiv Sena (UBT), which has accused central agencies of political vendetta against its leaders.
Chavan’s arrest had created ripples in Maharashtra’s political circles, especially given the ongoing political rivalry between the Shiv Sena factions.
With the High Court granting bail, the focus now shifts to the legal battle ahead and the ED’s next steps in the investigation.
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