FIR against Ravi Krishna and Shaffi Mather in 108 Ambulance Scam.

published on June 12, 2014

An FIR has been filed against Ravi Krishna and Shaffi Mather, former economic adviser to chief minister Oommen Chandy, in connection with the 108 ambulance scam. Ravi Krishna is the son of former union ministers Vayalar Ravi. The FIR has been filed by Rajasthan Police.

According to reports, Ravi Krishna’s and Shaffi Mather’s names have been included in a case where rupees 2.5 crore has allegedly been swindled. The name of Karthi Chidambaram, son of former Union Minister also figures in the list.

“Apart from Ravi Krishna and Shaffi Mather, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Union Finance Minister P.Chidambaram’s son Karti Chidambaram and former Union Minister Sachin Pilot are also included in the scam,” reports said.

The FIR is based on a complaint regarding the same, filed by former Jaipur Mayor Pankaj Joshi alleging that the previous Congress government had favoured ‘Zigitza Healthcare Ltd’ to run 108-ambulance services in Rajasthan. The complaint has been filed against former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and former union minister Sachin Pilot, for allegedly taking lead in the formation of the company, during Congress regime.

“Following intense investigation we have registered a case under Sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) against former chief minister, Ashok Gehlot, former medical and health minister AA Khan, PCC chief and former minister Sachin Pilot, Karti Chidambaram (son of former Union minister P Chidambaram), Ravi Krishna (son of former Union minister Vayalar Ravi), Shafi Mather (former secretary of Rahul Gandhi and Kerala CM’s son) and Shweta Mangal (daughter of Congress leader Vishnu Modi),” said Harsh Raj Singh, circle inspector, Ashok Nagar police station on Tuesday.

The BJP, while in the opposition, had several times raised concern over the alleged financial irregularities. The party had alleged that the tender for providing ambulances was given to former Union minister P Chidambaram’s son Karti P Chidambaram and former Union minister V Ravi’s son Ravi Krishna’s company Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd. Later, the company sold its 60% shares to two foreign companies in a non-transparent manner.
 
The BJP had also alleged that the company was getting undue benefits from the government due to the company directors/promoters and shareholders being the kin of Congress leaders, against whom a case has been registered too.

BJP leaders, including Kirit Somaiya, MLAs Kalicharan Saraf, Pramila Kundara and others too had lodged a complaint at Ashok Nagar police station to file an FIR in this case in August, 2013. They had also demanded a CBI inquiry.

Ahead of the 2013 Rajasthan assembly elections, the BJP had alleged irregularities in the 108 ambulance services and said it would take action if voted to power.
 

(With agency inputs)