Latest news with #Kochi-based
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mithi River desilting fraud: ED searches 15 locations, including Dino Morea's home
MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday carried out searches at 15 locations in Mumbai and Kochi in connection with the alleged irregularities in contracts for desilting the Mithi River, which resulted in a loss of ₹65.54 crore for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The locations that were searched include the home and office of actor Dino Morea, who has been questioned twice in connection with the case; the residences of arrested intermediaries Ketan Kadam and Jay Joshi; the residence of Prashant Ramugade, a deputy chief engineer with the BMC who was also named as an accused; and the premises of Matprop Technical Services Pvt Ltd, a Kochi-based company that rented machinery and equipment for the desilting work, officials said. The searches continued until late Friday evening, and the ED found some incriminating documents, officials said. Morea could be summoned to record his statement in a few days, officials added. The ED has launched a money-laundering investigation in the case based on the FIR registered by the Mumbai police's Economic Offence Wing last month. The EOW had booked 13 people in the case, including three BMC officials. Two of them—alleged intermediaries Ketan Kadam and Jay Joshi—were arrested. Joshi was granted bail by a sessions court on Thursday. The EOW had earlier interrogated Dino Morea and his brother Santino after finding financial transactions between them and Kadam's family. The police suspect that the transactions, which took place during the period of the alleged fraud—from 2019 to 2022—could be linked to the desilting contracts. The Moreas and Kadams have known each other for around 25 years, according to the police. Santino Morea and Kadam's wife, Punita, are also directors of a Mumbai-based company, UBO Ridez Private Limited, which operates Victoria-style electric carriages. According to the EOW, the three accused BMC officials allegedly tailored the tender for the desilting contracts to benefit Matprop, resulting in the company's monopoly over the contracts. When the BMC's contractors approached Matprop for desilting equipment, they were directed to approach Joshi and Kadam, who, in connivance with the company, rented the machines at inflated rates, according to the EOW. Matprop's director, Dipak Mohan, who was also booked in the case, has denied that he or his company were involved in the fraud. The accused also allegedly fudged records to increase the amount of silt to be removed from the Mithi River to benefit the contractors and the rates that they were supposed to be paid, according to the EOW.
New Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
In 100th year, St Teresa's plans grand tribute to basketball legacy in Kochi
KOCHI: As St Teresa's College marks 100 years, the institution is turning the spotlight on a glorious chapter from its past — the years it dominated women's basketball in Kerala. The physical education department of the Kochi-based college is leading a nostalgic celebration, bringing back the players, coaches, and the spirit that once made it a powerhouse on and off the court. At the heart of this tribute is coach Maya Joseph Vithayathil — a former Kerala athlete and the woman behind the rise of St Teresa's in basketball. From 1968 to 2002, she built a team that not only swept MG University championships but also produced athletes who would go on to represent the state and the country. 'Back then, teams would hesitate to face us,' Maya tells TNIE. 'We were consistent, aggressive, and passionate — and we created a strong pool of talent for Kerala and India.' Her wards included Prasanna Kumari, the first Keralite to captain the national women's basketball team, and Raji Thampi, who led Kerala to its first-ever win in the senior national championship in 1984-85. To mark the centenary, over 250 former athletes of the college will take part in a symbolic 'star walk' on June 11 — from the main academic block on Park Avenue to the science block on T D Road. The celebration also includes a veterans' tournament and an exhibition match featuring former players. For Prasanna Kumari, returning to the campus is emotional. 'That court gave us everything. We weren't just a team — we were a movement,' she says. 'Maya miss was more than a coach. Her drive shaped our lives. I went on to play for 27 years and now I coach — that's how deep the impact runs.'
Japan Forward
11 hours ago
- Business
- Japan Forward
Japan Trials First Full-Flat Sleeper Bus
Japan's first trial run of a highway bus with full-flat seats is now underway, aiming to challenge the common view of night buses as cramped and tiring. The seats were jointly developed by Kochi-based operator Kochi Ekimae Kanko, a local model-making company, and a machinery manufacturer. Made entirely in Kochi, they meet the full-flat seating guidelines introduced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in November 2024. Since March, Kochi Ekimae Kanko has been operating a weekly round trip between Tokyo and Kochi on a trial basis, receiving positive feedback. With hotel prices climbing due to increasing inbound tourism, the service also aims to appeal to cost-conscious travelers. The full-flat seats are called Sommeil Profond, French for "deep sleep." Two rows of seats, front and back, convert into bunk-style beds, creating a private space similar to a capsule hotel. A large coach was remodeled to accommodate 24 seats across 12 bunk-style units arranged in three rows. The trial service began on March 11, running once a week between Tokyo and Kochi or Tokushima. The longest stretch of the trip takes about 13.5 hours one way. Passengers can stay fully reclined the entire time. Each seat is enclosed by curtains for privacy and comes with amenities like a blanket and pillow, offering a semi-private experience. The regular fare is expected to be around ¥13,000 JPY (about $90 USD), though the trial price has been set between ¥7,000 and ¥7,500. On the morning of May 21, the trial bus arrived at Kochi Station fully booked with passengers traveling for sightseeing or business. Yukari Ikezawa, a 37-year-old office worker from Kochi who took the round trip, said, "The vibrations bothered me a little, but on the way back, I was so tired I slept soundly. I felt much less fatigued compared to a regular bus." A company representative added, "These seats significantly reduce fatigue compared to standard ones. And since passengers can sleep while traveling, it also helps cut down on hotel expenses." Seats arranged to make full-flat "beds." (Courtesy of Kochi Ekimae Kanko) About 30 years ago, Kochi Ekimae Kanko's Chairman Kuninori Umehara saw sleeper buses during a visit to China. The company considered bringing the concept to Japan but had to put the idea on hold due to the lack of a legal framework at the time. Around 10 years ago, the company confirmed that there were no regulations on seat reclining angles. This opened the door to the idea of converting traditional seat designs into fully flat beds, and development began. Creating bus seats involves specialized knowledge and technical skills. To take on the challenge, the company partnered with local model maker Thermal Kobo and industrial machinery manufacturer Kakiuchi. Together, they repeatedly refined prototypes that could fold flat, maximize cabin space, and meet safety standards. They also consulted closely with Japan's transport ministry. It was determined that as long as the seats could return to an upright position, the bus would pass inspection under the Road Transport Vehicle Act. At the time, international safety standards for vehicle seating were based on a 25-degree seatback angle, and there was no established method to assess the safety of fully flat seats. However, as global discussions around safe seating in various postures began to grow, the ministry anticipated rising demand and introduced formal guidelines in November 2024. The guidelines require the following: A fall-prevention plate that can withstand 900 kilograms of force Two-point seatbelts Padding and safety features to prevent falls from the head and sides Clear evacuation routes and secure luggage storage Kochi Ekimae Kanko refined its design to meet these standards and successfully turned the concept into reality. Since the trial began, buses equipped with Sommeil Profond seats have been nearly full. Surveys show that about 80% of users gave the ride high marks, especially for reduced fatigue and improved sleep quality. The most common complaint, however, was the narrow bed size. In bed mode, each seat measures 180 cm (5.9 ft) in length, 48 cm in width, and 51 to 73 cm in height, depending on the seat. Some larger passengers reportedly have to curl up to fit. "There's definitely room for improvement," said a company representative. "But seat size is closely tied to pricing, so we have to be careful when considering any changes to the design." Wider seats would improve comfort but reduce the total number of seats. Since operating costs per bus trip — such as fuel — are mostly fixed, fewer seats would lead to higher fares. For reference, a standard 28-seat, three-row bus charges about ¥10,000 on the Kochi–Tokyo route. The full-flat model accommodates 24 seats, allowing fares in the ¥13,000–¥14,000 range. Passengers have also requested more storage space and power outlets. The company is reviewing these suggestions and plans to expand service this fall with two buses offering four round trips per week. Looking ahead, Kochi Ekimae Kanko aims to market the Sommeil Profond model nationwide. Talks are already underway with bus operators in Tohoku and Kyushu, and interest has been strong. A representative said, "Eventually, we believe half of all overnight highway buses could adopt full-flat seating. By switching between upright and flat modes, these buses could even serve as a new option for inbound tourism. We want to keep improving and expand this model across Japan." ( Read the article in Japanese . ) Author: Koji Maekawa, The Sankei Shimbun
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mithi River desilting fraud: Court grants bail to intermediary Jay Joshi
MUMBAI: The sessions court on Thursday granted bail to Jay Ashok Joshi, a purported intermediary arrested in connection with alleged irregularities in Mithi river desilting contracts. The detailed court order is not yet available, so it isn't clear why the 49-year-old was granted bail. Additional sessions judge NG Shukla, in his operative order, directed Joshi to be released on executing a personal bond of ₹1 lakh. Joshi was also directed to visit the office of the Mumbai police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) whenever called and cooperate with the investigation. The court cautioned him not to tamper with or create hurdles in the investigation. Two weeks ago, a metropolitan magistrate court had rejected the bail pleas of Joshi and another intermediary, Ketan Kadam. They were among 13 people, including three Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials, booked in connection with the alleged fraud. The case involves alleged financial irregularities, inflated tenders, and corrupt practices linked to desilting work for the Mithi River, which caused the BMC losses worth over ₹65 crore, according to the EOW. Joshi is associated with Virgo Specialties Pvt Ltd, a Mumbai-based industrial product manufacturer, while Kadam is the director of a desilting services company, Woder India LLP. According to the police, the duo were involved in charging the BMC an inflated amount to rent silt pusher machines and dredging equipment supplied by a Kochi-based firm, Matprop Technical Services Pvt Ltd. The police claimed this was done in connivance with Matprop executives and officials from the BMC's storm water drains department (SWD). Matprop's director, Dipak Mohan, who was also booked in the case, has denied that he or his company were involved in the fraud. Last week, the police questioned actor Dino Morea and his younger brother Santino after learning that the latter and Kadam's wife, Punita Kadam, were directors in a private company. The police said that they had found some financial transactions between Punita Kadam and Santino Morea, which were being verified. Later, the police claimed they also found a couple of bank transactions between Dino Morea and Ketan Kadam, who have known each other for around 25 years. The police did not reveal the amounts involved in the transactions and who paid whom.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Corruption case: Vigilance uncovers alleged Thane-based shell company used to divert bribe
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), Ernakulam unit, has claimed to have uncovered an alleged shell company in Thane, Maharashtra, in connection with the corruption case in Kerala in which three persons were arrested on the charge of attempting to take a bribe of ₹2 crore from a businessman to allegedly get him off the hook of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The case had taken a dramatic turn after it emerged that the VACB had arraigned an officer of the ED Kochi unit as the key accused. The VACB has so far arrested Wilson Varghese, 36, of Thammanam, Mukesh Kumar, 55, of Rajasthan, and Ranjith Warrier, a Kochi-based chartered accountant. The VACB suspects that all the three have served as intermediaries for collecting pay-offs from people facing potential investigation by the enforcement agency. Shekhar Kumar, assistant director of the Kochi unit of the ED is under the scanner of the VACB. The VACB sources said they were verifying whether there are such shell companies were involved in the case. Incidentally, Wilson, during the interrogation, had reportedly told VACB that the third accused, Mukesh, had given him the account details of a bank account in Thane to which the businessman had transferred ₹50,000. The case was registered on a complaint by a Kollam-based businessman who runs a cashew export-import firm. According to the VACB, the businessman was summoned to the Kochi unit of the ED in 2024 on the grounds that his firm's turnover was very high and that accounts had been forged to mask money laundering. Shortly thereafter, the second accused, Wilson, contacted the businessman with an offer to sort out his ED trouble by paying ₹2 crore to the first accused, stated the remand report. Wilson asked the businessman for ₹2 lakh in liquid cash to be handed over in person to the first accused on May 15, 2025. Following this, the businessman lodged a complaint with the VACB. The enforcement agency registered a case after pre-verification and set a trap for Wilson when he turned up to collect the marked currency notes worth ₹2 lakh from the businessman on May 16. During his interrogation, Wilson claimed that he was just a middleman and named the third accused, Mukesh, and claimed that he had come to collect the money at his instance., according to the remand report.
