HC reprieve for Kirit, says allegations vague

In a major reprieve for BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted him interim protection from arrest till April 28 in the alleged cheating case of misappropriation of public money collected for restoration of aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

Justice Anuja Prabhudessai has directed Somaiya's release against a personal bond of Rs 50,000 in case of arrest.

The court, while granting relief to the BJP leader, remarked that the allegations made in the FIR were “vague” and based mainly on news reports.

The court said, “Prima facie, apart from the complaint that is so vague and based solely on media reports, there is no basis for the complaint. Unfortunately, from 2013 to 2022, nothing is done, no complaint lodged. It is a fit case for grant of interim relief.”

Asking Somaiya to cooperate with the investigation, the court asked him to report to the investigation officer in the case for four days, beginning April 18, between 11 am and 2 pm.

Somaiya’s counsel Ashok Mundargi argued that it is a “highly politicised matter”. He contended that during the time, many campaigns were held to collect funds to save INS Vikrant, and one of them was led by Somaiya outside Churchgate station.

On a court query, Mundargi said that the BJP leader was not sure as to what happened to the Rs 11,000 collected at Churchgate. Mungargi said that the Governor didn’t respond to their letter on this amount collected by them. “The money must be lying with some party worker or deposited somewhere,” he said.