Covid-19 body bag scam: Mumbai ex-mayor Kishori Pednekar's anticipatory bail application rejected

livemint.com:

₹6,719 apiece from Vedant InnoTech Private Limited (VIPL), the prosecution said. Thus, during May 16, 2020, to June 7, 2020, there was a misappropriation of public funds of ₹49.63 lakh, it alleged.

The court, in its order, said there were serious allegations against the former mayor regarding not protecting the interest of a public body like BMC, "resulting in a criminal breach of trust by the applicant being a public servant." “Prima facie (on the face of it) allegations show conspiracy involving misuse of powers and public money. She appears to be involved in the economic offences of a huge amount, which is public money," the court noted.

The allegations were about “grave offences affecting the economy of the country and also causing serious threat or loss to the financial health of the country", it added. Without custodial interrogation it cannot be said “if she is not involved or falsely involved in the crime in question" and the grant of anticipatory bail will "certainly hamper proper and effective investigation," the court said.