Shiv Sena's Shital Mhatre seeks probe into Aaditya Thackeray over Mithi river silt scam

Shiv Sena spokesperson Shital Mhatre has demanded an investigation into UBT MLA Aaditya Thackeray in the Mithi river silt removal scam. She was speaking at a press conference called at Balasaheb Bhavan in Mumbai.

The Economic Offences Wing has arrested actor Dino Morea in the Rs 65 crore scam in the desilting of the Mithi river. Mhatre said Aaditya Thackeray and Morea have business ties. She also demanded a white paper on the contracts the Mumbai municipal corporation awarded during Covid.

Mhatre said Morea's arrest is only the tip of the iceberg in this scam. She said Morea's friend Aaditya Thackeray is directly linked to it. According to Mhatre, it is known to everyone that Morea and Aaditya are close friends. She said that when Aaditya was a corporator in the municipal corporation, Morea visited the civic body repeatedly. She also said conversations have proved that Morea and contractor Ketan Kadam are partners.

Mhatre alleged that Morea and Aaditya Thackeray run an extortion gang that takes a commission on every contract. She asked the Mumbai municipal commissioner to conduct a deep inquiry into Covid-era contracts, including the khichdi scam, the body bag scam, the Covid centre scam and the oxygen plant contracts, and to issue a white paper.

Mhatre also said Morea's name figures in the Disha Salian murder case. According to her, Morea's name is coming up in both the Mithi river scam and the Disha Salian case. She therefore demanded that the chats and call data from Morea's mobile phone be made public. Mhatre said this would reveal many things.

Mhatre demanded that the Mumbai Police Commissioner have the Economic Offences Wing question Aaditya Thackeray, just as Morea is being questioned. She said the Shiv Sena would give the Mumbai Police Commissioner a letter on the matter. Mhatre also said police are investigating the murder of Pradip Purnekar of Thane, and that the investigation would bring out the truth.