Actor Dino Morea questioned for six hours in Rs 65-crore Mithi River scam probe

Bollywood actor Dino Morea was questioned for around six hours by the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Friday in connection with the alleged Rs 65 crore Mithi River desilting scam. Morea appeared at the EOW’s Unit 4 office at Mumbai Police Headquarters, where investigators examined documents brought by him as part of the ongoing probe.

Before his appearance at the EOW office, investigators visited Morea’s residence and questioned him there while examining certain documents. He was subsequently asked to accompany the officers to the EOW office for further questioning.

After the questioning, Morea left the police headquarters. Officials indicated that the actor could be called again depending on the findings of the investigation and the need for further clarification.

A Mumbai Police official said Morea was being questioned based on leads that had emerged during the investigation. "He is being questioned based on certain leads in the investigation. Any further decision taken will be updated," the official said.

The EOW is investigating alleged financial irregularities linked to the desilting and cleaning of the Mithi River, with the suspected loss to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) estimated at more than Rs 65 crore.

Investigators have alleged that contractors and subcontractors submitted fraudulent work records, photographs and other documents to obtain payments for desilting work.

The probe is also examining allegations of inflated bills, fake work logs and irregularities in the execution of contracts relating to the river.

Investigators have been looking into whether public funds meant for desilting and flood-prevention work were diverted through a network involving contractors, intermediaries and civic officials.KEY ACCUSED IN POLICE CUSTODY

One of the key accused in the case, Ketan Kadam, has already been arrested and remains in custody. The EOW is examining alleged financial transactions between Kadam and Dino Morea, and his brother Santino Morea.

Investigators are seeking to determine the nature, purpose and circumstances of these transactions and whether they have any connection with the alleged irregularities under investigation.ED RUNNING PARALLEL PROBE

The Mithi River case has also drawn the attention of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a parallel money-laundering investigation based on the police case.

The agency has previously carried out searches at multiple locations in Mumbai and Kerala and examined premises linked to contractors, civic officials and Morea.

According to the ED’s investigation, alleged irregularities included manipulation of BMC tender processes, inflated payments and the use of allegedly falsified documents.

The agency has also examined suspected financial transactions and alleged layering of funds through firms and companies.

The EOW had earlier registered a case against several individuals, including BMC officials, contractors, middlemen and company representatives.

The investigation covers alleged irregularities in desilting work and procurement of specialised machinery.

With Morea’s latest questioning now complete, investigators are expected to examine the documents and financial information gathered during the probe.

Police have indicated that further questioning or other action will depend on the evidence and leads emerging from the ongoing investigation.- EndsWith PTI inputs

Divyesh Singh is one of the leading crime journalists in the country. A seasoned investigative journalist with experience of over 15 years in journalism covering Crime, Internal security, Defence, Central Agencies, and Rural issues, he has a number of exclusive breaks and investigative stories to his name. Presently working with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Aajtak / India Today based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Some of his stories to recall are 'Confessions of members from radical organisation in a bomb blast case in which they had been acquitted, Fodder scam in drought affected areas of Maharashtra, Crypto currency scam worth hundreds of crores ,Financial scam targeting US citizens, Black-marketing of life saving Covid19 drugs'. Many such investigations have been appreciated by law enforcement agencies and he has been awarded and appreciated twice by the Maharashtra police for helping the agency crack two serious cases, one a financial scam worth crores and another a double murder case. His coverage in the actor Sushant Singh Rajput death case brought to light the facts in the case, while reported a series of exclusives in the Yes Bank DHFL case and Iqbal Mirchi case on India Today / Aajtak. His coverage on crime underworld and narcotics has been extensive and indepth.