Senior Advocate Ashok Mundargi appearing for Somaiya stated that he received a notice under Section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and that it is a highly politicised matter.
He argued that ship had to be converted into a museum, which required ₹300 crores. In view of this, all political parties started collecting funds to save the ship from being decommissioned.
Mundargi told the Court that a Right to Information expert Dhirendra Upadhyay had made a query to the Governor if money was deposited and he was informed that no money for such purpose was deposited.
“The figure is important. Where this amount of ₹57 crore was stated by a political leader…? No one knows. After this happens on April 6, 2022, the next day an ex-serviceman registers an FIR and the complainant is set up by a political party,” Mundargi submitted.
Mundargi admitted that such a programme was held symbolically and there was no clarity on how the figure of ₹57 crore was arrived at.
“It is being constantly said that the father-son duo will land up in prison and rooms have been reserved for them”, Mundargi stated.
Relying on Somaiya’s tweets, Mundargi stated that ‘Mumbaikars’ were ready to contribute ₹140 crores.
“Because of this, the lower court concluded that ₹140 crores have been collected. There is neither any material to show that ₹57 crores was collected and neither was ₹140 crores. Somaiya has been provided Z security by Central government, he cannot abscond…” Mundargi said.
Source: Barandbench
