Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha candidate in Mumbai north-west, Amol Kirtikar, for questioning in connection with the Rs 6.37 crore khichdi Scam. He was first summoned on March 27. He is now required to appear before the ED on April 8.
Kirtikar had earlier requested exemption from appearing before the ED officials, citing a scheduled commitment. His lawyer, Dilip Satle, submitted an application to the ED office at Ballard Pier, stating that the earlier summons was issued at short notice and sought eight weeks to respond. But, the ED rejected the request and has now asked the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates to appear on April 8.
The ED is investigating the khichdi Scam, which involves an alleged fraud of Rs 6.37 crore committed during the pandemic. It is alleged that a portion of the cheated money was received in Kirtikar's account. The police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) had recorded Kirtikar's statement last October.
Amol's father, MP Gajanan Kirtikar, is associated with the Shiv Sena led by chief minister Eknath Shinde group, while Amol is an office-bearer of the Yuva Sena, which is the youth wing of the Thackeray group.
Officials of the ED stated that Kirtikar Jr was under the agency's scanner for allegations related to assisting in securing a contract for a vendor involved in khichdi distribution and certain monetary transactions with the vendor.
Recently, the ED filed a chargesheet in the khichdi Scam against Suraj Chavan, Shiv Sena UBT secretary, BMC officials, and their close associates. Earlier this month, the ED provisionally attached Suraj Chavan's immovable properties worth Rs 88.51 lakhs, including a residential flat in Mumbai and a parcel of agricultural land in Ratnagiri.
