Bombay High Court grants bail to Sujit Patkar, accused in the COVID-19 jumbo centre scam. Court cites delay in trial and parity with co-accused.
Mumbai: Today, on July 16, the Bombay High Court has granted bail to businessman Sujit Patkar, who is alleged to be a close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, in connection with the multi-crore COVID-19 jumbo centre scam. The case is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The decision was delivered by Justice Amit Borkar, who took into account various factors before allowing Patkar to be released on bail.
These included the length of time he had already spent in jail since his arrest in July 2023, the delay in starting the trial, and parity with co-accused persons.
The court observed,
“In view of the aforesaid circumstances and taking into consideration a period of custody undergone by the applicant, ground of parity of co-accused and delay in commencement of trial, this court is of the opinion that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail.”
The court directed Sujit Patkar to submit a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh, and also laid down a few other conditions for his bail, though a detailed order is expected to be made public later.
Before approaching the Bombay High Court, Patkar had earlier applied for bail at a special court, but his plea was rejected in November 2023. At that time, the special court had made serious observations against him and others involved in the alleged scam.
Also Read: BREAKING | Nagpur Lawyer Seeks High Court Intervention to Combat Rising HMPV Cases
It noted that the accused and his partners had entered into a criminal conspiracy, taking advantage of the crisis period during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead of helping people and saving lives, the special court stated that they
“played with the lives of people during the pandemic instead of saving lives.”
Sujit Patkar was arrested by the ED on allegations that he, along with others, cheated the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) by not providing enough doctors and staff after winning a contract to operate a COVID-19 jumbo centre.
The centre was located in Worli, one of the areas in Mumbai most affected during the peak of the pandemic.
According to the investigators, a larger conspiracy was uncovered, pointing to how the accused generated illegal money (proceeds of crime) by creating fake bills and vouchers.
This led to the ED filing a money laundering case, based on an FIR registered by the Mumbai Police.
Sujit Patkar was reported to be one of the four partners in Lifeline Hospital Management Services, the firm that was awarded the contract to manage the COVID-19 jumbo centre.
The ED’s case focuses on how public funds were allegedly misused by manipulating staffing and falsifying documents to claim payments from the BMC.
Click Here to Read More Reports On COVID
