In a surprising disclosure, former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam made allegations on Monday, accusing Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut of being the central figure in the notorious 'khichdi scam', where he allegedly received bribes through his family members and associates.
Nirupam urged the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to broaden its investigation to include Sanjay Raut's family members and demanded his immediate arrest, asserting that Raut orchestrated the entire scam to siphon off funds meant for feeding impoverished migrants.
According to Nirupam, the company implicated in the scandal, Sahyadri Refreshments, purportedly funneled bribes through cheques into the bank accounts of Raut's daughter, brother, and a business partner. Cheques totaling approximately Rs one crore were allegedly deposited into these accounts between May 2020 and January 2021, Nirupam claimed.
Providing detailed figures, Nirupam mentioned cheque amounts ranging from Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 14 lakh, deposited into various accounts associated with Raut and his accomplices.
Nirupam further asserted that the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) awarded Sahyadri Refreshments a contract to provide 300 gms of 'khichdi' at Rs 35/plate during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. However, the company subcontracted another party to supply 100 gms of 'khichdi' at a lower rate, effectively depriving stranded migrants of their rightful provisions.
He also alleged that the sub-contractor fraudulently misrepresented a private restaurant's kitchen in the western suburbs to meet contract obligations without the restaurant's knowledge, as confirmed by the restaurant owner's affidavit.
These egregious acts occurred amidst assurances from the then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who frequently reassured the public via social media of his commitment to the welfare of stranded laborers.
Nirupam urged the ED to delve deeper into these allegations and apprehend Sanjay Raut and SS (UBT) Lok Sabha candidate Amol G. Kirtikar for their alleged involvement in the 'khichdi scam'.
Ironically, Nirupam referred to Raut as his 'friend,' highlighting their past collaborations as Executive Editors of publications under the Saamana Group of Newspapers, controlled by the Thackeray family.
Nirupam's expulsion from the Congress following his scathing criticisms of the party's leadership and its allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition suggests his potential shift to another political faction.
Read also | Kangana Ranaut: 'I don’t consume beef, proud to be Hindu'
