Mumbai: On April 13, the Bombay High Court granted interim protection from arrest to BJP leader Kirit Somaiya in connection with a cheating case concerning swindling of funds collected for the restoration of INS Vikrant, the Indian Navy’s first aircraft carrier. On being arrested, he can be released by furnishing a bond of Rs. 50,000, a single-judge bench of Justice Anuja Prabhudessai said.
“In the event of arrest of the applicant, he shall be released on furnishing personal bond of Rs. 50,000 and shall report to the investigating officer for four days from April 18 between 11 am to 2 pm,” a single-judge bench of Justice Anuja Prabhudessai said. He further added that the court will be hearing Somaiya’s pre-arrest bail plea after two weeks on April 28. It also sought the investigation progress report by then.
HC observed that the FIR indicates allegations made are mostly based on media reports. Court observed “The FIR indicates that allegations are mainly based on media reports. Though there are specific allegations of misappropriation of Rs 57 crore, there is no material on record to indicate on what basis the complainant has arrived at the said figure.”
“It is also to be noted that the complaint had been lodged in 2022 for money allegedly collected in 2013,” the bench also said.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has accused Kirit and Neil Somaiya of corruption in the INS Vikrant case. Somaiya’s father and son were later charged following a complaint by a former soldier.
A case of cheating was registered against Maharashtra Kirit Somaiya and his son Neil. An official said on April 7, that Mumbai Police registered case against them for alleged swindling of over ₹ 57 crore funds collected to save aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
The case was filed on the basis of a complaint filed by a former Army Personnel. The case has been registered on April 6 evening at Trombay police station at suburban Mankhurd, he said.
Indian Navy Ship Vikrant was a Majestic-class aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. The ship was laid down as HMS Hercules for the British Royal Navy during World War II, but was put on hold when the war ended. It had played a key role enforcing the naval blockade of East Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.
The complaint stated that a campaign raising funds for INS Vikrant was started by Kirit Somaiya. The former Army Personnel said that he had given donations to Kirit Somaiya for saving the ship and the BJP leader had collected more than ₹ 57 crore for the purpose. However, he alleged that BJP leader didn’t deposit the amount to the Maharashtra governor’s secretary office, instead he swindled the funds.
Senior Advocate Ashok Mundargi representing Somaiya said that from “Save Vikrant” drive only Rs. 11,224 were collected. The drive was conducted outside the Churchgate station on December 10, 2013. Mundargi added that the political parties who were in alliance at the relevant time, including the Shiv Sena, BJP, and RPI (Athavale group) had even written to the President of India on December 17 to save the battleship.
He added, “The applicant did not know how the alleged amount went up from nearly Rs. 11,000 to Rs. 57 crore merely based on an interview of a political leader and the said amount was reported in the FIR the next day of the interview.”
When the judge enquired that if the amount of Rs. 11,000 collected was deposited at the governor’s office, Mundargi responded that there was no response from the governor and the money must be lying with the party, party workers or somewhere as Somaiya was a Member of Parliament at the relevant time.
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