ED raids in Rajasthan, Gujarat in Rs 2,700 cr investors 'fraud' case
The case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) stems from a Rajasthan Police FIR against a company called Nexa Evergreen.
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Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Mithi fraud: ED questions Dino Morea, investigating if he's linked to crime proceeds
MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday questioned actor Dino Morea for a few hours as part of its money-laundering investigation related to the alleged irregularities in contracts to desilt the Mithi River, which caused a loss of over ₹65 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The Mumbai unit of the central agency is investigating whether Morea and his brother Santino were involved in the alleged fraud or if they were linked to any part of the proceeds of crime generated by people and entities being probed in the case, officials said. The Morea brothers have denied all allegations related to their involvement in the case. The ED is likely to question more people linked to the case in the next two weeks, officials said. Morea was at the ED's office at Ballard Estate in south Mumbai for over three-and-a-half hours after arriving around 10.30 am on Thursday. The agency recorded his statement under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), officials said. The actor was questioned about the ED's suspicions regarding his alleged role in the fraud, which he has denied. The agency is verifying whether he is connected to any of the proceeds of crime, officials said, adding that the verification is still in a preliminary stage. Morea was summoned days after the ED carried out searches at 18 locations across Mumbai, Kochi and Thrissur on June 6 in connection with the investigation. The locations searched included the residential/office premises of Dino and Santino Morea, BMC engineer Prashant Ramgude, civic contractor Bhupendra Purohit, alleged intermediaries Jay Joshi and Ketan Kadam, and Matprop Technical Services Pvt Ltd, a Kochi-based company that rented machinery and equipment for the desilting work. According to the ED, the Morea brothers are close associates of Kadam. The Mumbai police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), which had registered an FIR in the case on May 6, had questioned the brothers twice last month. The EOW booked 13 people and entities in the case, including three BMC officials, for allegedly causing a wrongful loss of ₹65.54 crore to the BMC. The ED's investigation is based on this case. On June 7, the ED said that its investigation and search operations have so far prima facie indicated that Ramgude, Purohit, Joshi, Kadam, officials of Matprop and others allegedly colluded to form a cartel with the intent to manipulate BMC's tenders related to desilting the Mithi River. 'This action effectively conferred a monopoly in [the] award of desilting contracts of Mithi river and caused payments at inflated rates for desilting works, resulting in undue gains to the contractors and associated parties, thereby causing financial loss to the public exchequer,' the agency said in a press release. These undue financial gains were concealed by layering them through certain shell companies formed by Kadam, Purohit, Ramgude and others, the agency added. During its searches last week, the ED seized ₹7 lakh in cash and froze 22 bank accounts/fixed deposits and a demat account. The total amount seized or frozen is more than ₹1.25 crore so far, the agency said. Certain digital devices and incriminating documents were also seized that appeared to be relevant for further proceedings under the PMLA, according to the ED.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
ED raids 24 Raj & Guj locations in 2,700 crore Nexa Evergreen scam
Jaipur/Jhunjhunu: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted massive raids across Rajasthan and Gujarat on Thursday in connection with an alleged Rs 2,700 crore money laundering scheme linked to the Nexa Evergreen project. The operation, spanning 24 locations, targeted what authorities describe as a massive real estate fraud that affected approximately 62,000 investors. Till the evening ED has seized almost Rs 2 crores and 3 lakhs and have freezed around 10 bank accounts. The raids, supported by CRPF and local police, were carried out in multiple cities including Sikar, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan and Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The ED's investigation stems from multiple FIRs filed with the Rajasthan Police regarding the fraudulent scheme. According to ED officials, the company, registered in Ahmedabad in April 2021, allegedly lured investors with promises of affordable housing and land plots in Gujarat's Dholera Smart City Project. The primary accused, Subhash and Ranveer Bijarniya from Panlawa in Sikar district, specifically targeted govt employees, including police and armed forces personnel, promising high returns on investments. "While some initial investors received property possession, the scheme was later exposed as fraudulent, leaving most investors without recourse," said a senior ED officer in Jaipur. The agency has seized incriminating documents, bank account details, electronic devices and property papers during the raids. "So far we have seized Rs 2 crores and 3 lakhs and have also freezed around 10 bank accounts," said an officer. The scam, which affected around 62,000 people, has already led to hundreds of FIRs across different districts and multiple protests by victims. Both main accused, Ranveer and Subhash Bijarnia, were previously arrested in connection with the case. The ED's investigation continues, with officials stating this is their first major operation since registering the case in early 2024. The agency also raided the premises of Salim Khan, another accused who operated a Nexa Evergreen office in Jhunjhunu's KK Colony, allegedly to attract more investors to the scheme. While the ED has confirmed seizing significant evidence, specific details of the recoveries are yet to be disclosed as the investigation remains ongoing. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
India Gazette
16 hours ago
- India Gazette
Robert Vadra misses ED appearance due to flu, says he's cooperating
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Advocate Suman Jyoti Khaitan, counsel for businessman Robert Vadra, on Tuesday addressed the media through a virtual press conference to clarify his client's absence from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) appearance in a money laundering case. Khaitan, speaking via Zoom, said recent media reports wrongly implied that Vadra was evading ED summons. 'These reports are misleading. Vadra developed flu-like symptoms and was advised to undergo a COVID-19 test, which he has taken. He is following all necessary health precautions,' Khaitan stated. Reaffirming Vadra's cooperation with the investigation, Khaitan said, 'He has willingly offered to join the probe through virtual mode and has previously submitted voluminous documentation to the ED.' The lawyer further stated that Vadra's prior appearances, including a three-day questioning in April in a separate money laundering case linked to a 2008 Haryana land deal. Khaitan also disclosed that Vadra plans to travel abroad later this month to attend his daughter's graduation ceremony, but remains open to participating in the ED probe either before or after the trip. Vadra, the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, was summoned by the ED recently in connection with a case involving UK-based arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. Sources said Vadra sought a deferment of the summons and will be given a new date for recording his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In 2023, the ED filed a chargesheet alleging that Bhandari purchased and renovated a property at 12, Bryanston Square, London, on Vadra's instructions and with his financial support--an allegation Vadra strongly denies. He has dismissed the case as a 'political witch hunt' aimed at 'harassing him for political reasons.' The agency is also probing Vadra in another money laundering matter linked to land transactions in Bikaner, Rajasthan, where he and his mother have previously been questioned. (ANI)
