The troubles for Uddhav Thackeray in Maharashtra continue to escalate. Recently, former MLA Shishir Shinde and party spokesperson Manisha Kayande resigned from Shiv Sena (UBT). Now, in connection with the alleged Covid center scam in Mumbai, the ED has conducted raids at the premises of close associates of Uddhav and Aditya Thackeray.

The ED is investigating 16 locations, including the residences of Yuva Sena (UBT) secretary Suraj Chavan and IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal, both considered close to Uddhav and Aditya Thackeray. Last August, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya filed an FIR against four partners of Lifeline Hospital Management Services, including Sujit Mukund Patkar. In October 2022, the investigation was handed over to the EOW.

Kirit Somaiya alleged in his complaint that the contract for setting up Covid centers was awarded to a firm with no prior experience in providing health or medical services. The firm allegedly secured the contract based on forged documents.

In this case, an FIR was registered against Sujit Patkar, a partner in Lifeline Hospital Management Services Limited and a close associate of Sanjay Raut, at Azad Maidan Police Station. On January 16, BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal recorded his statement before ED officials in the same case.

The ED had summoned Chahal regarding Covid center or field hospital contracts awarded to Sujit Patkar and his associates, who are close to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. Speaking to India Today, Chahal said, “When Covid cases began rising in March-April 2020, BMC had only 4,000 beds available. WHO had advised increasing bed capacity, and the state government then ordered the construction of field hospitals. These were to be built in open grounds, with assistance from agencies like SIDCO, MHADA, and others.”

He added, “Ten jumbo hospitals were built, providing 15,000 beds and 1,000 ICU beds. We informed the government that we lacked sufficient teams to manage such hospitals, so we sought construction help from other state agencies.”

Regarding the police complaint, Chahal stated, “In August 2022, Mumbai Police received a complaint about the field hospitals. We told them we had no mechanism to detect fraud and requested the police department to investigate. We also shared details with them.”

PMRDA had blacklisted the firm

The BJP leader also alleged that the firm had been blacklisted by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority for medical services but concealed this fact from BMC and still managed to secure contracts for operating jumbo centers.

Firm was established on June 26

Earlier, the BJP leader claimed that a pre-bid meeting for a 100-bed hospital facility in Dahisar was called on June 25, 2020. An Expression of Interest was invited on June 27, while Lifeline Hospital Management Services was incorporated on June 26. Thus, the firm participated in the pre-bid before even existing and secured the operation-management contract for Covid ICU beds in Dahisar. A petition regarding this was also filed in a city court.

ED

It seems like “ED” might be a typo or an abbreviation that isn’t clearly associated with a specific place or cultural site. Could you clarify or provide more details? For example, are you referring to a museum, a city, or a landmark? If you meant the *Edinburgh Castle* in Scotland, or the *Edmon Low Library* at Oklahoma State University (often called “Edmon Low” or “EDL”), I’d be happy to summarize! Let me know how you’d like to proceed.

Shiv Sena (UBT)

Shiv Sena (UBT), or Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), is a faction of the original Shiv Sena, a right-wing Hindu nationalist political party founded in 1966 by Bal Thackeray in Maharashtra, India. The faction emerged in 2022 after a split within the party, led by Uddhav Thackeray (Bal Thackeray’s son), following a rebellion by rival leader Eknath Shinde. It retains Shiv Sena’s original ideology of Marathi pride and Hindutva but aligns with opposition coalitions, contrasting with the rival faction’s alliance with the BJP.

Yuva Sena (UBT)

Yuva Sena (UBT) is the youth wing of the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction of Shiv Sena, a prominent political party in Maharashtra, India. Founded by Aditya Thackeray in 2010, it originally served as a platform for youth engagement in politics under Shiv Sena before the party split in 2022. The UBT faction continues to advocate for youth empowerment, education, and social justice, aligning with its parent group’s Marathi-centric and secular ideology.

Lifeline Hospital Management Services

Lifeline Hospital Management Services appears to be a healthcare management organization, though specific historical details are limited. Such services typically oversee hospital operations, staffing, and patient care to improve efficiency and quality in medical facilities. If associated with a particular hospital or region, its history would reflect local healthcare developments and modernization efforts. For accurate details, consulting the organization’s official resources would be necessary.

Azad Maidan Police Station

Azad Maidan Police Station is a prominent police station located near Azad Maidan, a large public ground in Mumbai, India. The area historically served as a rallying point for India’s freedom movement, with “Azad Maidan” meaning “Freedom Ground.” The police station plays a key role in maintaining law and order in the bustling South Mumbai area, which is also home to important government and cultural landmarks.

BMC

It seems there might be some confusion regarding “BMC,” as it could refer to multiple places or institutions. If you’re referring to the **Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA)** in Alabama, USA, it is a prominent cultural institution founded in 1951, housing over 27,000 works of art spanning centuries and continents. If you meant a different “BMC,” such as **Bryn Mawr College (BMC)** in Pennsylvania, it is a prestigious liberal arts women’s college established in 1885, known for its academic rigor and historic campus.

Could you clarify which “BMC” you’re referring to so I can provide a more accurate summary?

WHO

The **World Health Organization (WHO)** is a specialized agency of the United Nations, established in 1948, dedicated to international public health. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it works to combat diseases, improve healthcare systems, and coordinate global responses to health emergencies, such as pandemics. The WHO plays a key role in setting health standards, promoting research, and providing guidance on critical health issues worldwide.

SIDCO

SIDCO (Small Industries Development Corporation) is a government initiative in various Indian states aimed at promoting and supporting small-scale industries. Established to foster industrial growth, SIDCO provides infrastructure, financial assistance, and training to entrepreneurs. Its history dates back to the mid-20th century, aligning with India’s post-independence industrialization efforts.

MHADA

MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority) is a government organization in Maharashtra, India, established in 1977 to address housing needs and urban development. It focuses on providing affordable housing, slum rehabilitation, and infrastructure projects, particularly for low- and middle-income groups. Over the years, MHADA has played a key role in Mumbai’s housing sector, organizing lotteries for subsidized homes and redeveloping older buildings to improve living conditions.

PMRDA

The **Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA)** is a government body established in 2015 to oversee urban planning and infrastructure development in the Pune Metropolitan Region, Maharashtra, India. It focuses on sustainable growth, transportation, and housing projects, including initiatives like the Pune Metro expansion and the proposed **Ring Road**. PMRDA plays a key role in managing the region’s rapid urbanization while preserving its cultural and environmental heritage.

Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority

The **Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA)** is a government body established in 2015 to oversee urban planning and infrastructure development in the Pune Metropolitan Region, Maharashtra. It was created to manage rapid urbanization, improve transportation, and promote sustainable growth in Pune and its surrounding areas. PMRDA plays a key role in major projects like the Pune Metro expansion and the development of smart cities.