In a major swoop, the Enforcement Directorate has arrested Suraj Chavan, a close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, in connection with the alleged 'khichadi' scam during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The alleged scam involves the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation - and at a time when Uddhav Thackeray was the Chief Minister heading the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
Chavan is accused of influencing BMC officials in awarding contracts to select contractors who have alleged links with leaders of what is now the Shiv Sena (UBT).
Reacting to the development, Aaditya Thackeray said: "Proud to be a colleague of such patriots who don’t bow down to shameless dictatorships and their servile agencies."
He added that Chavan has always stood for the truth, democracy, free speech and our constitution.
"He refused to be bought out by the regime and there he is being harassed. We will fight these dark days for democracy and win. The world is watching the dictatorial regime in our state," he said lashing out at the Eknath Shinde-led BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP dispensation.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who had flagged the issue, reacting to the arrest said: "I welcome the arrest of Aditya Thackeray's colleague Suraj Chavan by ED in Covid-19 khichdi scam".
Chavan who was arrested around midnight would be produced before a special PMLA court on Thursday.
Published 17 January 2024, 16:48 IST