31 October,2023 12:44 PM IST | Mumbai | Anurag Kamble
Representative image/iStock
Peter Kerkar alias Ajay Ajit Peter, promoter of Cox and King's group of companies, accused of multi-crore fraud through money laundering, was found with electronic gadgets in his possession in the hospital during medical treatment. Kerkar has been admitted to Bombay Hospital since June 2023, as per the direction of the Bombay High Court.
Last week, the superintendent of Arthur Road went for a review in the hospital, and during the visit to Kerkar's room, they found the devices. Kerkar has been booked by Azad Maidan Police Station, and according to police sources, the default report of the guards on duty will be sent to the Local Arms Division.
Kerkar was arrested by the ED in November 2020 for an alleged money-laundering case. Kerkar had himself made complaints to the Mumbai Police about the alleged fraud committed by his employees in the company, but during the investigation, it was found that Kerkar was the real mastermind of the fraud. Eight different cases were registered against Kerkar in Mumbai Police and later shifted to the Economic Offence Wing, while another case was registered by ED for money laundering and eventually arrested.
After the arrest, Kerkar was sent to Arthur Road jail. Kerkar's lawyers had filed an application in the Bombay High Court seeking bail on medical grounds. The High Court, in his June 13, 2023, order, directed the superintendent of Arthur Road jail to shift Kerkar to Bombay Hospital for his heart ailment, where he is undergoing treatment since 2014. Kerkar was also directed to pay 50 per cent of the escort charges.
"From June 16, Kerkar has been admitted to room number 1072 of Bombay Hospital and is under treatment. As per the direction of the court, only one member of the family has been allowed to meet him during visiting hours," said an official from Azad Maidan police station.
"On October 24, the Arthur Road jail superintendent visited the hospital to review the inmate under treatment. After the visit to the doctor, Superintendent Harshad Ahirrao decided to visit Kerkar in his room. When he went to the 10th floor of the hospital, where he had been kept, Ahirrao found there was only 1 guard," added the officer.
According to sources, Ahirrao found a charger at the switchboard, and when he asked the guard whether it belonged to him, he denied it. During the search, a mobile phone and an iPad were recovered from the room. On questioning, Kerkar confessed that it belonged to him. Superintendent Ahirrao immediately alerted the hospital administration and Azad Maidan police station about the incident.
"The superintendent had visited the room around 4-4:30 pm, where he recovered the electronic gadgets. As per the complaint given by the jail guard, we have booked the accused under IPC sections 188 (Disobedience to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant) and 120B (Criminal conspiracy), also we have sent the report to the jail officials regarding the guards," said DCP (Zone 1) Dr. Pravin Mundhe.
According to police sources, Azad Maidan cops investigating the matter have found there was only one guard on duty, while as per the manual, there needs to be two at any given time. A default report will be sent to the Local Arms Division against the guards.
