The Bombay High Court on Tuesday extended the interim protection from arrest till July 7 for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya and his son in the alleged case of misappropriation of funds to save the naval aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
A single Bench of Justice Bharati Dangre extended the relief till July 7 and also directed the Maharashtra Government to file a reply to the pleas by father and son stating the charges against them are false.
On April 13, a single Bench of Justice Anuja Prabhudessai had granted interim relief from protection to the duo and said: "The FIR [first information report] indicates that allegations are mainly based on media reports. Though there are specific allegations of misappropriation of ₹57 crore, there is no material on record to indicate on what basis the complainant has arrived at said figure.”
