The South India times (Mumbai): The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to BJP leader Kirit Somaiya and his son Neil in a case related to misappropriation of funds to preserve INS Vikrant, the first aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy.
While granting pre – arrest bail, court asked city police to give 72 hours notice in case if police wish to arrest the applicant.Justice Bharati Dangre granted bail after Mumbai Police’s counsel Shirish Gupte informed the court that there is no proof to substantiate that the duo swindled nearly Rs 57 crore.
When the govt intended to retire the vessel as it had outlived its usefulness it is alleged that under the guise of reviving it, a huge amount of money was collected on the last date of hearing the prosecution was asked the approximate amount that was collected. Today the Senior counsel said 57 crores was allegedly used, but there is no proof,” the court said in the order. Earlier, Mumbai’s Trombay Police Station has registered an offence under sections 406, 420 and 34 of the IPC on a complaint by a retired army personnel, Baban Bhimrao Bhosale. In his complaint, he alleged that the Somaiyas had collected Rs. 57 crores in a donation drive they conducted in 2014 to save the warship from being scrapped, but the money never reached the government.
