The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted bail to businessman Sujit Patkar, a close associate of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, in connection with the multi-crore COVID-19 jumbo centre scam currently under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Justice Amit Borkar, who presided over the case, observed that Patkar had been in custody since his arrest in July 2023 and noted the significant delay in the commencement of the trial. The court also considered the principle of parity with co-accused in granting relief.
“In view of the aforesaid circumstances and taking into consideration a period of custody undergone by the applicant, ground of parity of co-accused and delay in commencement of trial, this court is of the opinion that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail,” the bench stated.
Patkar has been directed to furnish a personal bond of ₹1 lakh, along with other bail conditions. A detailed copy of the court’s order is awaited.
Earlier, a special court had rejected Patkar’s bail application in November 2023, stating that he and his partners had entered into a criminal conspiracy that compromised public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The court had remarked that the accused “played with the lives of people instead of saving them.”
Patkar was arrested by the ED on charges of cheating the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) by fraudulently under-deploying medical personnel at a jumbo COVID-19 treatment facility in Worli, operated under a contract awarded to Lifeline Hospital Management Services — a firm in which Patkar was a partner.
According to investigators, Patkar and others allegedly generated proceeds of crime by submitting fake bills and vouchers. The ED’s money laundering probe is based on an FIR filed earlier by the Mumbai Police.
