Wed Jul 16 22:07:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Bombay High Court Grants Bail to Businessman in COVID-19 Jumbo Center Scam**

**Mumbai, July 17, 2025** – The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Sujit Patkar, a businessman and alleged associate of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, in connection with the multi-crore COVID-19 jumbo center scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The scam revolves around alleged irregularities in awarding and executing contracts for the management of jumbo COVID-19 treatment facilities in Mumbai during the pandemic. Patkar, a partner in Lifeline Hospital Management Services (LHMS), was arrested on July 19, 2023, accused of securing contracts from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) by submitting forged documents. The ED alleges that LHMS inflated attendance sheets, submitted false invoices, and fictitious staff records to claim over ₹32.76 crore, causing a wrongful loss to the BMC and a gain of ₹18.5 crore to LHMS and its partners.

Justice Amit Borkar cited the delay in trial commencement, Patkar’s time in custody, and parity with a co-accused who was not arrested as reasons for granting bail. The court noted that another LHMS partner, Dr. Hemant Gupta, who holds a 30% partnership share and was authorized to operate the firm’s affairs, was not arrested and granted bail upon appearance. The court emphasized that differing treatment of similarly placed accused required justification.

Despite the ED submitting a 5,000-page charge sheet with 63 witnesses, the court deemed Patkar’s continued incarceration unjustified given the uncertain timeline for the trial and the nature of the evidence, which primarily consists of documents. As a condition of bail, Patkar must provide a personal bond of ₹1,00,000 with two sureties, report to the investigating officer monthly, and refrain from tampering with evidence or contacting witnesses. He is also restricted from leaving Maharashtra without prior permission.

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