ED summons Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha candidate

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the ED has initiated action against Kirtikar but they will not change his candidature

Shortly before Shiv Sena (UBT) named Amol Kirtikar as its Lok Sabha candidate from the Mumbai North-West constituency on Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned him for questioning over alleged irregularities in the distribution of khichdi during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shiv Sena (UBT) nominee Amol Kirtikar. (HT PHOTO)

People aware of the matter said that the ED suspects Kirtikar helped the vendor, who secured the contract for the distribution, and had financial transactions worth several lakhs in that regard. Kirtikar has denied the allegations.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the ED has initiated action against Kirtikar but they will not change his candidature.

The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) questioned Kirtikar in September. The ED submitted its charge sheet against Suraj Chavan, a Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary, for his alleged role in the case. The agency provisionally attached Chavan’s immovable properties worth ₹88.51 lakh. Chavan allegedly received ₹1.35 crore out of the proceeds of the crime.