The Mumbai Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has initiated legal action against Kishori Pednekar, the former high-profile mayor of Mumbai from Shiv Sena (UBT). Officials announced that Pednekar is under scrutiny for her alleged involvement in a scam related to the procurement of body bags for Covid centres during the pandemic. The Agripada Police Station has officially filed a case against Pednekar and two other municipal officials. This matter is also being looked into by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The ED began investigating after Kirit Somaiya from the BJP raised concerns about irregularities in the tendering process. Last month, the ED conducted searches at specific locations as part of their inquiry. Allegations emerged that the cost of body bags for deceased Covid patients was inflated, with prices soaring from Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,800.
Kirit Somaiya, who lodged a complaint on July 13, revealed that body bags priced at Rs 1,500 were acquired for an exorbitant Rs 6,700. The police have registered cases against Pednekar, an Additional Municipal Commissioner, and a private company named Vedant Innotech Pvt. Ltd., based in Aurangabad.
Back in January 2020, anti-corruption activist Anjali Damania brought attention to the issue, exposing a scandal involving the steep pricing of body bags. She highlighted that the rates were nearly double compared to those in the US.
Kirit Somaiya is currently pursuing three additional complaints in separate cases. He anticipates that Pednekar and three other leaders may face imprisonment in light of these investigations.
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