LI Network
Published on: 11 August 2023 at 11:40 IST
Businessman Sujit Patkar, who is presently under judicial custody on allegations of irregularities linked to securing contracts for operating COVID-19 treatment centers in Mumbai, has submitted an application before a special court on Thursday, seeking to withdraw his statements previously recorded by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Patkar asserts that these statements were obtained under “force, coercion, and undue influence.”
Patkar, who is said to have close ties with Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, has been detained since July 19 as part of this case.
According to his lawyer Subash Jha, the application highlights that the ED took his statements under duress, force, coercion, and undue influence during questioning sessions held on July 21, 23, 24, 25, and 26.
“The statements which seek to implicate Patkar and other accused and have been recorded under duress, coercion, undue influence, and force are retracted herewith and the same be not acted upon and/or read in evidence in any proceeding,” the application emphasized.
The plea further points out that although Lifeline Hospital Management Services, a partnership firm involving Patkar and three others, was awarded the contract for managing the jumbo treatment centers, Patkar alone has been singled out and apprehended due to his perceived proximity to specific politicians.
The application contends that Patkar’s arrest is driven by malicious intent and political motives.
As per the Enforcement Directorate, Lifeline Hospital Management Services, established in June 2020 as a partnership involving Patkar and three others, received Rs 31.84 crore from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for supplying medical personnel to COVID-19 centers.
The ED’s allegations suggest that the firm lacked any prior experience in delivering medical personnel or services.
The investigative agency has additionally accused Patkar of receiving a substantial portion of the ill-gotten gains from Lifeline Management Services in his personal bank account.