ED Raids 18 Locations Linked To Dino Morea In Mithi River Scam, Crores Of Assets Seized
The ED initiated the action based on an FIR registered against 13 individuals and institutions at the Azad Maidan Police Station in Mumbai.
Mithi River Scam Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) team in Mumbai conducted a major operation on Saturday in connection with the Mithi River cleaning scam. The ED raided a total of 18 locations simultaneously in Mumbai, Kochi and Thrissur in this case related to money laundering. This action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002.
The ED raided the premises of individuals and institutions, including Prashant Ramgude (BMC Engineer), Bhupendra Purohit (BMC Contractor), Mattprop Technical Service Private Limited, Jay Joshi (Director of Virgo Specialities Private Limited), Ketan Kadam (associated with Voder India LLP), and Santino Rocco Moria and Dino Moria (close associates of Ketan Kadam).
The ED initiated the action based on an FIR registered against 13 individuals and institutions at the Azad Maidan Police Station in Mumbai. It is alleged that these accused caused a loss of over Rs 65 crore to the BMC.
Fake Contractors Made Huge Profits
The evidence that has emerged so far in the investigation makes it clear that the accused formed a cartel to irregularly obtain contracts from the BMC related to the cleaning of the Mithi River. This gave a monopoly to a few selected contractors and huge profits were made by making payments at fake rates.
The money earned illegally was hidden by circulating it through shell companies, which were formed by Ketan Kadam, Bhupendra Purohit, Prashant Ramgude, and others.
Property Worth Rs 1.25 Crore Frozen
During the raids, the ED has frozen FDRs related to Rs 7 lakh in cash, 22 bank accounts, and 1 demat account. The estimated value of the total seized and frozen property is more than Rs 1.25 crore.
The ED also seized several important digital devices and objectionable documents during the raids, which are considered very important for further investigation under PMLA. The Enforcement Directorate said that the investigation in this matter is still ongoing.
What Is The Mithi River Scam?
Contracts are awarded every year to remove silt from the Mithi River to protect the Mumbai metropolis from waterlogging and floods. The agencies involved in this work have scammed crores of rupees. This matter has been in the headlines for a few months. Now the ED is investigating this matter.
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