Mithi River Scam: ED raids eight locations in Mumbai, targets contractors in multi-crore probe

Over the years, the BMC has allocated substantial funds for the river`s cleaning and flood prevention measures. Representational Pic

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out search operations at around eight locations in Mumbai in connection with the ongoing probe into the alleged Mithi River scam, officials said.

The searches targeted premises linked to contractors accused of submitting falsified Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) regarding the dumping and disposal of silt removed from the Mithi River, according to the news agency ANI.

According to officials, preliminary findings suggest that several contractors allegedly forged MoUs and provided misleading information to claim payments for silt removal work that was either never carried out or significantly overstated.

The alleged scam is believed to have caused significant financial loss to the BMC and compromised the long-standing efforts to mitigate flooding in the city through proper desilting of the river.

The Mithi River, which flows through the heart of Mumbai, has been a critical focus of desilting and cleaning operations following the catastrophic 2005 floods, as per the news agency ANI.

Over the years, the BMC has allocated substantial funds for the river's cleaning and flood prevention measures. However, allegations of corruption and fake documentation by contractors have plagued the initiative.

Investigations by local authorities earlier revealed that dumping sites mentioned in official documents were either non-existent or unused, prompting further probe by central agencies.

The ED's latest searches aim to gather financial evidence and trace the money trail connected to the scam. Officials stated that further action will follow based on the outcome of the ongoing operations, according to the news agency ANI.

Earlier on July 15, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police registered a case in May against 13 individuals, including contractors and civic officials, concerning the alleged Rs 65 crore fraud related to the desilting of the Mithi River, which flows through the city.

The civic body had awarded river desilting contracts to various companies through tenders issued between 2019 and 2024. It is alleged that some Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials manipulated the contract tender process to specifically benefit a particular machinery supplier.

The police have also questioned Bollywood actor Dino Morea and others during the investigation. Dino Morea is alleged to have been involved in the scam and has been interrogated by both the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with this money laundering probe.

(With ANI inputs)