Mumbai: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police has initiated legal action against Kishori Pednekar, a former mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, along with a former additional municipal commissioner, a former deputy municipal commissioner (purchase), and private contractor Vedanta Innotech. These individuals are alleged to be involved in a scam related to the purchase of body bags at inflated rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reports indicate that the purported amount implicated in this alleged fraudulent activity is currently estimated to be around ₹60–70 lakh, with the potential for further increase as the investigation progresses, according to a senior EOW official. Charges have been levied against two other senior officials as well, under sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 120(B) (punishment of criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
The private company under scrutiny is said to have supplied body bags for deceased COVID-19 patients to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at a rate of Rs 6,700 per piece, significantly higher than the charge of ₹1,500 per piece to other private hospitals or government entities during the same time frame. Earlier inquiries have reportedly uncovered this disparity.
This marks the EOW’s first formal FIR within its ongoing series of seven preliminary inquiries investigating irregularities within the BMC during the COVID-19 period and other operational discrepancies.
In a separate context, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids in June this year, unveiling alleged financial misconduct related to BMC COVID-19 centres. During these raids, substantial sums of cash and property-related documents were seized. The ED’s investigations revealed immovable properties, fixed deposits, investments, and jewellery collectively valued at over ₹150 crore. Additionally, documents indicated instances of body bags being transferred between companies at varying costs and a contract involving then-BMC mayor Pednekar.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), responsible for ongoing probes into BMC irregularities based on findings from the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) audit report, will be overseeing this latest FIR. As the investigation unfolds, further revelations regarding the alleged scam are anticipated.
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