New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched Bollywood actor Dino Morea’s residence on Friday in connection with the Mithi River desilting case. The ED reportedly conducted searches at 15 different locations in Mumbai and Kochi. In addition to the residences of contractors and middlemen, the house of Santino Morea, Dino’s brother, was also searched. The investigation is being carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). More details about the raids are awaited.
Earlier, the actor was being questioned by the Economic Offences Wing when officials found that several phone calls were shared between Dino, his brother Santino, and the prime accused Ketan Kadam in the scam, as per a report in Free Press Journal. The conversations are still being examined.
Rs 18 lakhs transferred to Dino’s brother’s company
It is said Rs 18 lakhs were transferred to a company named UBO Ridez, where Dino’s brother Santino was listed as a director. The funds were transferred by Ketan Kadam, who is said to be the prime accused in the case, said a report in The Times of India. Kadam, associated with Vodar India LLP, was arrested earlier this month in connection with the Mithi River desilting case.
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Officials explained that Vodar India LLP and UBO Ridez operated out of the same address near Famous Studio, situated in Worli, Mumbai. “We are investigating the reason for the transfer of funds from Ketan Kadam’s account to UBO Ridez,” an officer from the EOW told the newspaper.
What is Mithi Scam
The Mithi River desilting scam allegedly involves financial misconduct in renting silt pusher machines and dredging equipment provided by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). According to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), the Rs 65 crore scam allegedly involves contractors and BMC officials who planned to inflate rental costs of equipment, which would result in losses for the government. So far, several people including contractors and intermediaries, have been arrested.
The river flows through Mumbai and drains into the Arabian Sea. It is alleged that tenders for renting specialised dredging equipment were manipulated to favour specific suppliers. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is currently reviewing the substantial ₹1,100 crore expenditure incurred on the Mithi River desilting project between 2005 and 2021 to uncover broader financial irregularities. The case is allegedly said to be a part of a bigger scam connected to Mumbai’s notable flood prevention infrastructural projects.
