ED Raids Actor Dino Morea Residence In Maharashtra In River Mithi Cleaning Scam

The ED launched simultaneous raids early Thursday morning in areas including Worli, Bandra, and Kandivali. Residences linked to Dino Morea, his brother Santino, Jay Joshi, and Ketan Kadam were searched in connection with alleged money laundering related to the Mithi River desilting project.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police initially began the investigation into the scam, but with increasing financial irregularities surfacing, the ED has taken over the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Allegations state that massive overbilling and tender rigging took place during the purchase of dredging machines and silt pushers from Kochi-based Matprop Technical Services Pvt. Ltd., intended for desilting work between 2022 and 2023.

Political Angle Surfaces

Dino Morea and his brother had previously been summoned by the EOW and were questioned for nearly eight hours. Sources indicate that financial transactions between Ketan Kadam and Dino Morea from 2019 to 2022 are under investigation. Given Dino Morea’s proximity to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray, the Thackeray faction could face increasing political heat.

Key Accused and Legal Developments

A case was earlier registered at Azad Maidan Police Station against:

• 3 BMC officials

• 5 contractors

• 3 middlemen

• 2 private companies

Charges include cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and other IPC sections. The scam involved manipulating tenders for silt removal in the Mithi River between 2021 and 2023.

While Jay Joshi, owner of Virgo Specialties and a key accused, was granted bail by a sessions court on the condition of cooperating with the EOW, Ketan Kadam’s bail plea was rejected.

Environmental and Administrative Fallout

Beyond financial loss, the scam has triggered environmental concerns. Excessive and illegal sand extraction threatens the river’s ecological balance. Allegations have also emerged against Gangapur Tehsildar Navnath Wadhwad and Sub-Divisional Officer Arun Janhad, both suspected of enabling illegal sand mining. A departmental inquiry has been ordered against them.

District Collector Swamy is reportedly overseeing further investigation, including steps to recover ₹27 crore in lost revenue. Legal proceedings under the Environment Act and violations of Supreme Court orders are underway.

The case, which intertwines high-profile names, bureaucratic negligence, and environmental degradation, is likely to remain at the center of political and legal discourse in Maharashtra. The ED is expected to continue its crackdown as the investigation deepens.