ED conducts searches at 15 locations in connection with Mithi river desilting case

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Friday conducted searches at more than 15 premises, mainly in Mumbai and also in Kochi, in connection with the Mithi river desilting scam, causing wrongful loss of more than Rs 65 crores to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Actor Dino Morea and his brother Santino have been questioned by the Mumbai Police in this matter.

Last week, Morea and his brother Santino were questioned for nearly eight hours by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police in connection with alleged links to an arrested middleman in the case, which has already seen multiple arrests and significant political fallout.

Earlier this month, the EOW had registered a case against 13 individuals, including BMC officials and contractors, for their alleged involvement in a large-scale scam concerning the desilting of the Mithi river.

According to investigators, tenders for renting specialised dredging equipment were manipulated to favour certain suppliers.

The Mithi river originates from the overflow of the Vihar and Powai lakes and drains into the Mahim Creek and ultimately, the Arabian Sea.

Since the Mumbai floods of July 2005, the river has come under scrutiny for its heavy pollution and silt accumulation, reducing its capacity to carry stormwater during monsoons.