MUMBAI: Reacting to the reports that the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) gave a clean chit to BJP leader Kirit Somaiya in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds collected to save aircraft carrier INS Vikrant from scrapping, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday warned that there will be a reckoning in 2024 and everyone’s accounts will be settled.
“This is one of the many things expected after a change of government. This doesn’t mean that the topic is over. Everyone has seen the collection of money for INS Vikrant whether it is one rupee or Rs 50 crore. Money has been embezzled. They say the money went to the Raj Bhavan and Raj Bhavan says the money never came. This is the biggest evidence of corruption,” Raut said.
“This question should be asked to the home minister of the state as to why our people will not get a clean chit. This is actually a matter under the jurisdiction of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This is a game which was played with national security. But even if they get a clean chit today, it does not mean that this case will not come up in 2024. No government is permanent. The government will change and all will be accounted for,” Raut said.
In April, Raut had alleged that BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had siphoned off around Rs 57 crore which he had collected in the name of saving INS Vikrant, the Indian Navy ship.
Raut had alleged that Somaiya was to give that money to the Maharashtra governor, but a letter from Raj Bhavan had stated that no money was given to Raj Bhavan by Somaiya. Raut said that the money collected from hundreds of people for saving INS Vikrant was taken home by Somaiya and demanded that Somaiya be booked for treason and be arrested.
“This is one of the many things expected after a change of government. This doesn’t mean that the topic is over. Everyone has seen the collection of money for INS Vikrant whether it is one rupee or Rs 50 crore. Money has been embezzled. They say the money went to the Raj Bhavan and Raj Bhavan says the money never came. This is the biggest evidence of corruption,” Raut said.
“This question should be asked to the home minister of the state as to why our people will not get a clean chit. This is actually a matter under the jurisdiction of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This is a game which was played with national security. But even if they get a clean chit today, it does not mean that this case will not come up in 2024. No government is permanent. The government will change and all will be accounted for,” Raut said.
In April, Raut had alleged that BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had siphoned off around Rs 57 crore which he had collected in the name of saving INS Vikrant, the Indian Navy ship.
Raut had alleged that Somaiya was to give that money to the Maharashtra governor, but a letter from Raj Bhavan had stated that no money was given to Raj Bhavan by Somaiya. Raut said that the money collected from hundreds of people for saving INS Vikrant was taken home by Somaiya and demanded that Somaiya be booked for treason and be arrested.
