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Synopsis

A division bench of the Bombay High Court, consisting of Justice Nitin W Sambre and Justice RN Laddha, issued a notice on Wednesday in the plea filed by Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's aide, Sujit Patkar. The plea sought the quashing of the FIR registered against him in the COVID centre scam.

During the pandemic, Sujit Patkar and his partners were awarded the contract for the Covid-19 Jumbo Centre in Worli. Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate registered a money laundering case against Patkar based on the investigation conducted by the Mumbai Police. Following the Mumbai Police's probe, the case was transferred to the Economic Offence Wing.

In addition to the probe by the Mumbai Police, another FIR has been registered against Sujit Patkar in Pune based on a complaint filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. Somaiya alleged that Patkar obtained the contract for the Covid Jumbo Centre by flouting norms and that he lacked expertise in the field.

The high court will hear the plea next week both the petition seeking quashing both the FIR next week.

The plea filed by Katkar states that Kirit Somaiya has been using all sorts of platforms to defame Katkar.

“He has been using all sorts of platform, be it electronic, print and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp and has also been holding press conferences and would leave no stone untumed to defame the Petitioner and other partners of Lifeline Hospital Management Services,” the plea states.

Furthermore, the plea contends that every individual has the right to live without fear of investigating agencies and the police, and Patkar should not be subjected to persecution and defamation solely because an FIR has been registered and is being investigated by the police.

In his plea, Patkar stated that the prosecution is driven by malafide intentions and has been initiated due to political rivalry. He alleges that it is an attempt to demonstrate that the political party in power holds sway over all other political powers and systems.

Additionally, the plea highlights that Katkar is facing health complications, including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, negative thoughts, and hallucinations. The plea explains that his medical condition has been further exacerbated due to a contentious legal battle with his estranged wife.

Patkar's petition further informs the court that the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) had conducted an inquiry and found no wrongdoing on his part.

Case title: Sujit Mukund Patkar vs State of Maharashtra & Ors.