The Mithi River desilting Scam is a stark example of how large-scale public works, when left unmonitored, can turn into lucrative sources of corruption, ultimately harming the environment and putting the city’s safety at risk
Mithi River. File Photo
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday launched search operations at several locations across Mumbai as part of its ongoing investigation into the multi-crore Mithi River desilting scam, according to sources within the agency.
The raids are linked to alleged financial irregularities and corruption surrounding the river’s desilting and cleanup project—an initiative that was supposed to mitigate flooding risks and improve environmental conditions in one of the city’s most vulnerable zones.
A senior ED official described the case as a troubling example of how large-scale public infrastructure projects, when poorly monitored, can become fertile ground for systemic corruption. “Instead of improving the city’s resilience to flooding, the project may have served as a cash cow for a nexus of contractors and officials,” the source said.
The Mithi River desilting scam highlights the potential environmental and public safety risks that arise when critical civic works are compromised by greed and mismanagement. Investigations are ongoing, and more developments are expected in the coming days.
Last month, the Economic Offences Wing of Mumbai police, which booked a dozen people and arrested two people, Jayesh Joshi and Ketan Kadam, had questioned actor Dino Morea and his brother Santino in connection with the Rs. 65 crore scam.
However, in an exclusive conversation with mid-day, a BJP legislator, Prasad Lad, who had raised alarm bells over the scam during the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislature, had claimed that this scam led to loss of over Rs. 1200 crore.
Mithi River scam: SIT grills Dino Morea over financial links to key accused
Earlier in May, Actor Dino Morea and his brother Santino Morea were questioned for over five hours on Wednesday by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police in connection with the ongoing Mithi River desilting scam.
The brothers arrived at the commissioner of police's office around 12.45 pm in a black car, their faces covered with masks. Following questioning, they left the premises at approximately 6.45 pm. A battery of media personnel attempted to speak with them, but the brothers declined to comment. A senior officer associated with the investigation confirmed that the SIT has uncovered key leads, including financial transactions between Dino Morea and the main accused, Ketan Kadam and Jayesh Joshi.
Among the 13 people arrested so far, two primary accused are Ketan Kadam, a middleman and director of Woder India LLP, and Jayesh Joshi of Virgo Specialities Pvt Ltd, a company that allegedly supplied silt-pusher machines and other equipment to contractors involved in the desilting work.
The EOW is investigating whether funds received by Kadam from these contractors were subsequently transferred to Dino Morea's bank account. As part of the probe, a forensic audit is underway on 20 to 22 bank accounts, focusing specifically on transactions tied to the suspected scam.
"It is premature to comment on this matter as the forensic audit report is awaited," said a senior EOW officer. More individuals linked to the irregularities are expected to be summoned for questioning in the coming days. In a bid to carry out the multi-crore scam, the accused allegedly arranged foreign trips for BMC officials and their families in exchange for favourable treatment in awarding desilting contracts.
According to EOW sources, Ketan Kadam sponsored international travel, including flights and luxury hotel stays, for BMC Assistant Engineer Prashant Ramgude. Ramgude reportedly took a day trip to Singapore with his family, with hotel arrangements at the InterContinental Singapore made by Kadam. A similar arrangement was made for a trip to Dubai, where Kadam again handled the hotel bookings. Police have recovered detailed records of these transactions from Kadam.
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