Mumbai: Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Wednesday questioned Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray’s close aide and friend Punyashali Parekh in connection with an alleged scam in the supply of Remdesevir injections to the BMC during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Parekh appeared before EOW officials in the afternoon, and was allowed to leave around 6.30pm, five hours later, after his statement was recorded, an official said.
Claims of backdoor dealings
According to a source, a meeting was held at the bungalow of the then mayor, Kishori Pednekar, in May/June 2020 in which it was decided who should get the contract for supply of Remdesivir. Parekh was present at the meeting, the source claimed.
The source claimed that the contract ultimately went to two companies, including Mylan Laboratories Limited. Parekh was present during talks to give the contract to Mylan, the source said.
FIR registered against Mylan Laboratories
The EOW has registered an FIR against Mylan Laboratories and another unnamed company.
In his statement, Parekh told the EOW that he does social work and during the pandemic, he was working to help people.
Parekh is a chartered accountant and in the investigation so far, no money transaction has been found in his bank accounts.
The agency has registered an offence in connection with the purchase of Remdesivir injections at alleged inflated rates by the BMC.
As per the FIR, Remdesivir vials that were available for Rs650 were purchased for Rs1,568 apiece. The BMC procured some 65,000 vials at this rate, amounting to a scam of Rs5.96 crore, the official said.
The EOW had earlier questioned Suraj Chavan, an aide of Aaditya, in connection with an alleged scam in the supply of khichdi to stranded migrants during the pandemic.
