Mumbai (Maharashtra), June 12: Bollywood actor Dino Morea on Thursday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Mumbai in connection with the alleged Rs 65 crore Mithi River desilting scam, marking a major development in the ongoing investigation into large-scale financial irregularities in Mumbai’s flood prevention project.
Morea was summoned following ED raids at 15 locations across Mumbai and Kochi on June 6, including his residence. The case, being investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), centers on alleged embezzlement of public funds meant for the critical desilting and maintenance of the Mithi River.
Sources indicate that the actor’s name surfaced due to his suspected links with contractors and civic officials who are believed to have siphoned off money by inflating project costs, forging work logs, and diverting funds from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) budget.
The Mithi River desilting project was launched after the 2005 Mumbai floods to prevent future disasters by improving drainage systems. Despite repeated operations over the years, recent audits and reports from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) exposed glaring gaps between the claimed and actual work, suggesting possible financial fraud.
According to ED officials, a network involving contractors, civic officials, and intermediaries allegedly submitted fake work completion reports to pocket crores allocated for river cleaning and maintenance.
In addition to Dino Morea, his brother was also questioned by the agency regarding possible monetary links and involvement in companies tied to the accused contractors.
The ED is now probing the flow of funds and aims to identify assets purchased through the proceeds of the suspected scam. The agency is also examining if celebrities were used as fronts or influencers to legitimize or cover up financial transactions.
The Mithi River, considered one of Mumbai’s primary flood control channels, has long been under scrutiny, with multiple reports over the years flagging corruption and inefficiency in its maintenance efforts.
As the ED deepens its probe, further summons and arrests in the high-profile case are expected in the coming weeks.