During the searches, officials seized a number of incriminating documents, digital devices, and cash amounting Rs 1.33 crore. The ED believes these materials are allegedly linked to financial irregularities in the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC)
The search operations were carried out on July 29, 2025 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Pic/X
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said that it conducted raids at 12 locations across Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Satara in connection with the VVMC scam case involving Jayesh Mehta and others.
The search operations were carried out on July 29, 2025 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, according to a statement from the ED’s Mumbai Zonal Office.
During the searches, officials seized a number of incriminating documents, digital devices, and cash amounting Rs 1.33 crore. The ED believes these materials are allegedly linked to financial irregularities in the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC).
ED, Mumbai Zonal Office has conducted search operations at 12 different locations across Mumbai, Pune, Nasik and Satana under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002 on 29.07.2025 in the case of Jayesh Mehta and others (VVMC Scam Case). During the search operations, various… pic.twitter.com/dPvvjl6HSd
— ED (@dir_ed) August 1, 2025
The ED is investigating allegations of large-scale misappropriation of public funds and money laundering involving contractors, civic officials, and middlemen.
Last month, the ED officials had reportedly conducted a raid at the official bungalow of Anilkumar Pawar, the former Commissioner of Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC).
The raid was allegedly conducted in connection with the illegal buildings constructed in the Vasai-Virar region.
The raids were conducted just a day after Pawar was transferred.
Sources in the Central agency had earlier confirmed the raids and added that the sleuths of ED have been conducting raids at 12 different locations connected to Pawar.
In May, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Mumbai Zonal Office, had conducted search operations at 13 different locations across Mumbai and Hyderabad under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The Search operation led to seizure of Rs. 9.04 Crore (approx.) cash and Rs. 23.25 Crore worth of diamond-studded jewellery and bullion and a large number of incriminating documents.
ED initiated an investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by the Mira Bhayandar Police Commissionerate against builders, local henchmen and others. The case pertains to “illegal construction of residential cum commercial buildings on government and private land” under the jurisdiction of “VVCMC” since 2009.
Over a while, 41 illegal buildings were constructed on the land reserved for “Sewage Treatment Plant” and “Dumping Ground” as per the approved development plan of Vasai Virar City. The accused builders and developers have deceived and the general public at large by constructing illegal buildings on such land and subsequently selling it to them (general public) by fabricating approval documents. Even with prior knowledge that these buildings were unauthorised and would eventually be demolished, the developers misled the people by selling rooms in these buildings, thereby committing serious fraud.
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