Bombay HC grants interim protection from arrest to Kirit Somaiya

Kirit Somaiya is involved in an alleged case of misappropriation of funds to save INS Vikrant

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The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted interim protection from arrest to BJP leader Kirit Somaiya in an alleged case of misappropriation of funds to save INS Vikrant.

A single Bench of Justice Anuja Prabhudessai said, "The FIR indicates that allegations are mainly based on media reports. Though there is specific allegations of misappropriation of ₹57 crore, there is no material on record to indicate on what basis the complainant has arrived to said figure."

The Bench said that prima facie, the complaint, based on media reports, was vague as there was no complaint between 2013 and 2022.

The court directed Mr. Somaiya to cooperate with the investigation. It said that in the event of arrest, he shall be released on furnishing a personal bond of ₹50,000. He must report to the police station for four days from April 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Senior advocate Ashok Mundargi, appearing for Mr. Somaiya, said this was a highly politicised matter.

The court said, “let’s not get into that”. Mr. Mundargi argued that there was a programme at the Churchgate railway station and a letter was sent to the Governor saying that ₹11,000 was collected to save INS Vikrant that was to be scrapped. The scrapping was to cost ₹60 crore and museum was to cost ₹300 crore.