Ex-Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar In Trouble, Mumbai Police Files FIR

Former city mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Kishori Pednekar lands in trouble after the Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai police filed a case against her and two civic officials over alleged corruption in the purchase of body bags meant for COVID-19 victims.

An official of the Economic Offences Wing reportedly said that the case was registered at the Agripada police station on Friday. The complaint in this regard was filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya in July, the police official added.

Pednekar belongs to the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena. She held the position of mayor from November 2019 to March 2022.

The case against Pednekar and the two senior officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was registered under various Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections, including 420 (cheating) and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), he said.

The police official did not share any further information regarding the case.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Somaiya said, "We had filed the complaint in connection with the body bag scam in July this year. Body bags worth Rs 1,500 each were purchased at Rs 6,700 apiece and funds worth crores of rupees were siphoned."

"Based on the complaint, the Mumbai police has now registered the first information report (FIR) against Kishori Pednekar and Assistant Municipal Commissioner. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had also conducted raids in this connection," the former MP added.