Bombay High Court extends interim protection from arrest to BJP's Kirit Somaiya, his son in alleged cheating case

The Bombay High Court he interim protection from arrest granted to the Somaiyas in a case of alleged misappropriation of public funds collected for the restoration of decommissioned naval aircraft carrier Vikrant.

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday extended till July 7 the interim protection from arrest granted to BJP leader Kirit Somaiya and his son in a case of alleged misappropriation of public funds collected for the restoration of decommissioned naval aircraft carrier Vikrant.

On April 13, Justice Anuja Prabhudessai had granted interim protection from arrest to Kirit Somaiya, and on April 20, it had granted the same relief to his son Neil Somaiya.

The court had then said in the event of their arrest, both the accused persons be released on surety of ₹50,000 each. The relief was subsequently extended by Justice Prabhudessai till June 14.

On Tuesday, another single bench of the HC, presided over by Justice Bharati Dangre, extended the interim protection granted to the former BJP MP and his son till July 7.

Justice Dangre also directed the Maharashtra government to file an affidavit, replying to the pleas filed by Kirit Somaiya and his son claiming that the charges against them were false, and seeking pre-arrest bail in the case.

In April this year, while granting interim protection to Somaiyas in the case, the HC had said the complaint registered in the case by an ex-Army personnel seemed vague and based solely on media reports.

It had, however, directed the duo to report to police for questioning on fixed dates.