June 24th 2023.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has widened its investigation into the Jumbo Covid Centre scam in Mumbai, which involves the procurement of essential supplies during the pandemic. This decision was taken after it was revealed that several middlemen had connections with senior bureaucrats, contractors, suppliers, and political leaders through WhatsApp chats.
Preliminary findings of the investigation indicate that there have been irregularities in the emergency purchase of PPE kits, gloves, masks, ventilators, and oxygen supply, amounting to Rs. 4000 crore. These purchases were made at inflated rates, and select vendors with no prior experience were favored.
Furthermore, the ED has uncovered cash transactions related to Suraj Chavan, a close aide of Aditya Thackeray, which includes the purchase of four flats worth Rs 10 crore during the pandemic. In addition to WhatsApp chats, the ED has retrieved diaries and details of cash transactions allegedly involving Suraj Chavan and various contractors, suppliers, politicians, and BMC officials from data dumps.
In response to this news, Deepak Kesarkar, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Affairs, issued a challenge to Sanjay Raut to provide evidence of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s involvement in the Covid Centre scam.
The ED has since summoned Suraj Chavan for questioning in the Jumbo Covid Centre scam. It is hoped that these investigations will uncover the truth about the alleged irregularities in the procurement of essential supplies during the pandemic.
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