Bombay High Court directs ED to respond to the arrest Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary in Khichdi scam

Bombay High Court judges question ED on legality of Suraj Chavan's arrest in khichdi scam case.

A Division Bench of judges of the Bombay High Court, Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice P.K. Chavan on Thursday (October 24, 2024) questioned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond to Suraj Chavan’s petition that questions the legal grounds of his arrest and custody in a money laundering case. 

Mr. Chavan, reportedly a close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray, was arrested on January 17, 2024, in a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). The case is linked to an alleged financial irregularity in assigning contracts for the distribution of khichdi to the migrant workers by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. 

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Mr. Chavan has challenged the legality of his arrest and subsequent custody taken by the investigating agency. 

The Bench has sought a response from the ED and placed the matter for further hearing on November 14, 2024.

Mr. Chavan’s petition claims that the allegations against him lack credibility and the charges are based on mere conjecture. The petition argues that there were procedural violations, and his arrest did not comply with the necessary requirements under the PMLA. Mr. Chavan also claims that at the time of arrest, he was not issued any notice. The remand orders were issued without adequate justification and violated his fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution.