Why is Actor Dino Morea Under Investigation in the Rs 65 Crore Mithi River Desilting Scam?
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Synopsis
Actor Dino Morea is embroiled in a significant investigation linked to a massive Rs 65 crore desilting scam involving the Mithi River. With allegations suggesting fraudulent activities tied to the municipal corporation, this case raises questions about accountability and governance in public projects. Stay tuned as we delve into the details of this unfolding story.
Key Takeaways
- The investigation involves a Rs 65 crore scam linked to the Mithi River desilting project.
- Dino Morea's phone records connect him to the accused.
- Allegations include fraudulent billing by contractors and BMC officials.
- The case could result in severe legal consequences for those involved.
- The situation raises important questions about public accountability and governance.
Mumbai, May 26 (NationPress) Actor Dino Morea appeared before the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Monday for questioning regarding the Rs 65 crore Mithi River desilting scam, as confirmed by an official.
The model-turned-actor arrived at the EOW office at police headquarters around 11 a.m., where he faced inquiries about his potential connections with Ketan Kadam, one of the 13 individuals implicated in the scam.
An official indicated that the actor’s phone number appeared in the call logs of the accused involved in the scam, which has also seen three Mumbai civic officials and five contractors being charged.
This month, Mumbai Police stated that officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and contractors allegedly employed fraudulent billing to release funds without any actual desilting taking place in the river. This has significantly contributed to rainwater not being able to flow into the river, leading to flooding in adjacent areas.
Following raids on eight locations, Deputy Commissioner of Police (EOW) Sangramsingh Nishandar revealed that an FIR was filed at Azad Maidan Police Station based on initial findings that suggested “culpability.”
Nishandar stated that the FIR was lodged due to the use of counterfeit bills and fraudulent MoUs submitted to the BMC in connection with the alleged desilting work. The accused face charges under legal provisions related to cheating, breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy. If found guilty in court, they could face up to seven years in prison.
The FIR documents offences related to the creation of a contract for desilting, transportation of desilted materials, and oversight of the contractors’ responsibilities under the contract, he explained.
Nishandar noted that investigators from the SIT reviewed the processes and contract protocols, discovering that contractors had submitted fake bills concerning nine locations where the desilted materials were supposed to be disposed of.
He also highlighted inconsistencies in MoUs signed between landowners, where the silt was reportedly dumped, and BMC officials.
In some instances, landowners informed the police that they had never entered into any agreements with the desilting contractors, yet counterfeit MoUs bearing their names were submitted by the contractors to the BMC.
“Some of the landowners, referenced in the documents, don’t exist. Therefore, if there are no legitimate landowners and no land, it raises suspicion that the silt was never actually removed from the river,” he stated.
Several companies currently under scrutiny by the EOW include Acute Design, Kailash Construction, N.A. Construction, Nikhil Construction, and J.R.S Infrastructure.
“These companies are accused of submitting fraudulent MoUs,” he confirmed.
The Deputy Commissioner also mentioned another element of the FIR regarding a field inspection conducted by a company named Matprop in February 2020 at the Mithi River, after which its officials allegedly conspired with BMC officials to manipulate the terms of the desilting contract for illegal benefits.
The FIR identifies the implicated civic officials as Prashant Ramugade, Assistant Engineer and Designated Officer in the Rainwater Drainage Department of the Municipal Corporation, along with Deputy Chief Engineer (Pajwa), East Suburbs (P.) Ganesh Bendre, and others.
Among the private individuals and contractors named in the FIR are Jay Joshi of Virgo Specialities Pvt Ltd, along with other partners and directors, Ketan Kadam of Vodar India LLP, and contractor Bhupendra Purohit, among others.
Additional names mentioned in the FIR include Deepak Mohan and Kishore Menon.
The FIR in the desilting case implicates five contractors, three middlemen, two company officials, and three BMC officials, accusing them of causing undue financial loss to the civic agency, according to the police.
The formation of the SIT followed concerns raised by BJP leader and MLC Pravin Darekar and Prasad Lad during the monsoon session of the state Assembly.
The desilting project is part of a broader Rs 1,100 crore Mithi River beautification initiative.
Point of View
The ongoing investigation into the Mithi River desilting scam, particularly involving public figures like Dino Morea, underscores a larger issue of transparency and governance in public projects. The alleged fraudulent activities raise serious concerns about the integrity of municipal processes and the need for accountability to ensure public trust.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mithi River desilting scam?
The Mithi River desilting scam involves allegations of fraudulent billing and collusion between contractors and municipal officials, leading to a significant financial loss of Rs 65 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Why is Dino Morea being questioned?
Dino Morea is being questioned due to his phone number appearing in the call records of one of the accused in the scam, raising concerns about his potential involvement.
What are the potential consequences for those implicated?
If found guilty, the accused individuals could face legal repercussions, including a prison sentence of up to seven years for charges related to cheating, forgery, and conspiracy.
Who else is involved in this case?
In addition to Dino Morea, several contractors, BMC officials, and other individuals have been named in the FIR, indicating a wide-reaching investigation.
What is the significance of this investigation?
This investigation highlights critical issues of corruption and accountability in public projects, raising questions about the management of civic resources and trust in governance.
