Latest news with #PrashantRamgude
India Today
16 hours ago
- India Today
ED seizes Rs 7 lakh, freezes 22 accounts in Mithi river scam involving Dino Morea
The ED has seized Rs 7 lakh in cash, digital devices and frozen 22 bank accounts in connection with an alleged multi-crore scam involving the desilting and cleaning of Mumbai's Mithi river. Actor Dino Morea, who has been summoned by the probe agency for questioning, is named in the seizures were made after the ED's Mumbai zonal office conducted searches at 18 locations across Mumbai, Kochi and Thrissur into the ED initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR registered at Mumbai's Azad Maidan Police Station against 13 people and entities for causing wrongful loss of over Rs 65 crore to the BMC. The search operation on Friday covered office and residential premises linked to Prashant Ramgude (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Engineer), Bhupendra Purohit (BMC Contractor), Matprop Technical Service Pvt Ltd, Jay Joshi (Director of Virgo Specialties Pvt Ltd), Ketan Kadam (Controller of Woder India LLP) and Santino Rocco Morea/Dino Morea (close associates of Ketan Kadam).The evidence collected during the course of the investigation and search operations indicated that Prashant Ramgude, Bhupendra Purohit, Jay Joshi, Ketan Kadam, officials of Matprop Technical Service Pvt Ltd and others, colluded to form a cartel with the intent to manipulate BMC tenders related to the desilting of the Mithi river, according to the action effectively conferred a monopoly on the award of desilting contracts for cleaning the 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 probe agency undue financial gains have been concealed by layering them through certain shell companies/firms, which were formed by collusion amongst Ketan Kadam, Bhupendra Purohit, Prashant Ramgude and other private individuals, the ED the course of the searches, the ED seized Rs 7 Lakh in cash, froze 22 bank accounts and FDRs and one demat account. The total amount of seizure and freezing of the proceeds of crime is approximately more than Rs 1.25 crore so digital devices and incriminating documents were also seized during the course of search operations, which appeared to be relevant to further proceedings under PMLA, InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Mumbai
Mint
16 hours ago
- Mint
Mithi River scam: ED raids 18 premises linked to Dino Morea, others in Mumbai, Kerala; seize upto ₹1.25 crore
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations at 18 locations across Mumbai, Kochi and Thrissur on Friday in connection with the Mithi River desilting scam which caused a wrongful loss of more than ₹ 65 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the central probing agency said on Friday. Informing more about the searches, the ED said that operations were being carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at locations linked to contractors and officials suspected of embezzlement in the desilting operations of the Mithi River. The ED seized digital devices, various incriminating documents and cash amounting to ₹ 7 Lakh, while freezing 22 bank accounts/FDRs and one demat account. Also, the ED stated that total amount of seizure/freezing is more than ₹ 1.25 crore (approx.) Taking to X, ED wrote, "ED, Mumbai has conducted search operations at 18 locations across Mumbai, Kochi and Thrissur on 06.06.2025 at the office/residential premises linked to Prashant Ramgude (BMC Engineer), Bhupendra Purohit (BMC Contractor), M/s Matprop Technical Service Pvt Ltd, Jay Joshi (Director of M/s Virgo Specialties Pvt Ltd), Ketan Kadam (Controller of M/s Woder India LLP) and Santino Rocco Morea/ Dino Morea (Close associates of Ketan Kadam) under the provisions of PMLA, 2002 in the matter of 'Mithi River Desilting Scam'. "During the searches, digital devices, various incriminating documents and Cash amount of ₹ 7 Lakh have been seized, and 22 Bank Accounts/FDRs and 01 Demat Account were frozen. The total amount of seizure/freezing is more than ₹ 1.25 Crore (approx.) so far," the ED added. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the case involves accusations of inflated bills, fake work logs, and systematic diversion of public funds sanctioned for flood prevention and drainage maintenance in Mumbai. After the catastrophic 2005 floods, the Mithi River drew national attention and the BMC initiated regular desilting and cleaning operations to prevent future flooding. However, the probe and audits by agencies exposed glaring discrepancies in the actual versus reported desilting work and thereby raised serious concerns about corruption. Following the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) flagged possible financial misconduct, the ED registered a money laundering case to trace the proceeds of crime. During the probe, ED found out that a network of contractors and middlemen submitted fraudulent work completion reports. Also, the contractors and middlemen siphoned off funds meant for critical infrastructure development. The ED seized financial documents, electronic devices, and transaction records during their raids.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
ED summons Dino Morea in Mithi desilting case next wk
Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned actor Dino Morea for questioning next week, following searches at his premises regarding a money laundering case linked to the Mithi river desilting scam that caused a Rs 65 crore loss to the BMC. The ED said BMC officials and contractors had created a cartel to secure civic tenders at inflated rates, and they are investigating BMC engineer Prashant Ramgude in the case. In a press release, the ED said, "The evidence collected during the course of investigation and search operation prima facie indicates that Prashant Ramgude, Bhupendra Purohit, Jay Joshi, Ketan Kadam, officials of Matprop Technical Service Pvt Ltd and others colluded to form a cartel with the intent to manipulate BMC tenders related to the desilting of the Mithi river." The ED release said the cartel formation "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" causing financial loss to the public exchequer". It said illegal gains were concealed through layering via shell companies and firms established through collaboration among Ketan Kadam, Bhupendra Purohit, Prashant Ramgude, and other individuals.
Mint
19 hours ago
- Mint
Mithi River scam: ED raids 18 premises linked to Dino Morea, others in Mumbai, Kerala; seize upto ₹1.25 crore
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations at 18 locations across Mumbai, Kochi and Thrissur on Friday in connection with the Mithi River desilting scam which caused a wrongful loss of more than ₹ 65 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the central probing agency said on Friday. Informing more about the searches, the ED said that operations were being carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at locations linked to contractors and officials suspected of embezzlement in the desilting operations of the Mithi River. The ED seized digital devices, various incriminating documents and cash amounting to ₹ 7 Lakh, while freezing 22 bank accounts/FDRs and one demat account. Also, the ED stated that total amount of seizure/freezing is more than ₹ 1.25 crore (approx.) Taking to X, ED wrote, "ED, Mumbai has conducted search operations at 18 locations across Mumbai, Kochi and Thrissur on 06.06.2025 at the office/residential premises linked to Prashant Ramgude (BMC Engineer), Bhupendra Purohit (BMC Contractor), M/s Matprop Technical Service Pvt Ltd, Jay Joshi (Director of M/s Virgo Specialties Pvt Ltd), Ketan Kadam (Controller of M/s Woder India LLP) and Santino Rocco Morea/ Dino Morea (Close associates of Ketan Kadam) under the provisions of PMLA, 2002 in the matter of 'Mithi River Desilting Scam'. "During the searches, digital devices, various incriminating documents and Cash amount of ₹ 7 Lakh have been seized, and 22 Bank Accounts/FDRs and 01 Demat Account were frozen. The total amount of seizure/freezing is more than ₹ 1.25 Crore (approx.) so far," the ED added. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the case involves accusations of inflated bills, fake work logs, and systematic diversion of public funds sanctioned for flood prevention and drainage maintenance in Mumbai. After the catastrophic 2005 floods, the Mithi River drew national attention and the BMC initiated regular desilting and cleaning operations to prevent future flooding. However, the probe and audits by agencies exposed glaring discrepancies in the actual versus reported desilting work and thereby raised serious concerns about corruption. Following the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) flagged possible financial misconduct, the ED registered a money laundering case to trace the proceeds of crime. During the probe, ED found out that a network of contractors and middlemen submitted fraudulent work completion reports. Also, the contractors and middlemen siphoned off funds meant for critical infrastructure development. The ED seized financial documents, electronic devices, and transaction records during their raids. The news developments in the case focus on a list of alleged financial irregularities and sparked renewed calls for accountability and systemic reforms in the functioning of local bodies.
