ED Raids 18 Locations Across Maha, Kerala Over Mithi River Scam
In a significant development in the ongoing Mithi River cleaning scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations at 18 locations across Mumbai, Kochi, and Thrissur, targeting offices and residences linked to key accused, including a city engineer, a businessman, and an actor. The raids, which took place on Tuesday, aimed to seize evidence related to alleged irregularities in the Mithi River cleaning project.
The ED, which is probing the scam, conducted the searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The raids were conducted at the premises of Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Engineer Prashant Ramgude, Controller of Water India Ketan Kadam, actor Dino Morea, and others.
During the search operations, the ED officials seized approximately ₹7 lakh in cash, as well as froze 22 bank accounts, 22 fixed deposits, and one demat account. The agency has also attached several properties, including immovable assets, shares, and other assets linked to the accused.
The Mithi River cleaning scam, which has been making headlines for months, involves alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts and the misuse of funds meant for the project. The scam is believed to have caused huge financial losses to the government and the public exchequer.
The ED had earlier registered a case against several individuals and companies associated with the Mithi River cleaning project, including Ramgude and Kadam, who are accused of embezzling funds meant for the project. The agency has also accused Morea, a Bollywood actor, of being a benami owner of some of the properties linked to the scam.
The ED’s search operations on Tuesday were conducted under the supervision of Additional Director Rajendra Kumar. The agency’s officials were seen sealing the premises, including offices and residences, and collecting documents and evidence.
The Mithi River cleaning project, which was launched in 2019, was aimed at cleaning up the river, which flows through the heart of Mumbai and is a major source of water supply for the city. However, the project has been marred by allegations of corruption, with several opposition parties and civic activists accusing the BMC and the state government of misusing funds meant for the project.
The ED’s search operations come at a time when the Mithi River cleaning project is facing opposition from various quarters, including environmentalists and residents who have been complaining about the lack of transparency and accountability in the project.
The ED’s action is seen as a significant development in the fight against corruption in the state. The agency has been cracking down on corrupt officials and businessmen, and its search operations have been yielding significant results in recent months.
In a statement, the ED said that the search operations were conducted to gather evidence related to the alleged irregularities in the Mithi River cleaning project. The agency said that the seized documents and evidence would be examined to determine the extent of the scam and to identify the individuals and companies involved.
The ED’s action has also been welcomed by opposition parties, which have been demanding a thorough investigation into the scam. The parties have accused the state government of protecting corrupt officials and businessmen, and have demanded that those found guilty of corruption be punished.
As the investigation into the Mithi River cleaning scam continues, the ED’s search operations have sent a strong message to those involved in corrupt activities. The agency’s action is seen as a step towards ensuring accountability and transparency in the government’s projects and programs.
