Bollywood actor Dino Morea was interrogated for approximately six hours by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police on Friday, as part of the investigation into the alleged Rs 65 crore Mithi River desilting scam. Morea arrived at the EOW’s Unit 4 office at Mumbai Police Headquarters, where he presented various documents relevant to the ongoing inquiry.

Prior to his visit to the EOW office, officers conducted an initial round of questioning at Morea’s residence, where they scrutinised certain documents. Following this preliminary questioning, the actor was escorted to the EOW office for more extensive interrogation.

After concluding the interrogation session, Morea departed from the police headquarters. Authorities have indicated that he may be summoned again depending on the discovery of further evidence or the necessity of additional clarification regarding the investigation.

Mithi River Desilting Scam Details

The EOW is currently investigating alleged financial discrepancies related to the desilting and cleaning of the Mithi River, with suspected losses to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) exceeding Rs 65 crore. Investigators assert that various contractors and subcontractors submitted fraudulent documents, including work records and photographs, to unjustly claim payments for the desilting work performed.

The investigation is delving into claims of inflated invoices, fictitious work logs, and contractual irregularities concerning the river project. Authorities are also assessing whether public funds intended for desilting and flood mitigation activities have been misappropriated through a network comprising contractors, intermediaries, and civic officials.

These complexities highlight the possible collusion in manipulating project bids and executing contracts, raising concerns over the management of public resources.

Further Developments and Parallel Investigations

Ketan Kadam, one of the principal suspects in this case, has already been taken into custody. The EOW is probing alleged financial connections between Kadam and Dino Morea, alongside his brother Santino Morea. Investigators are focused on uncovering the specifics, intents, and context of the implicated transactions and their potential ties to the irregularities under examination.

The case has also captured the interest of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is undertaking a simultaneous investigation into money laundering related to the accusations. The ED has previously conducted searches at multiple locations in Mumbai and Kerala, focusing on premises associated with contractors, civic officials, and Morea.

Preliminary findings from the ED’s inquiry have indicated possible manipulation of BMC tender processes, inflated payouts, and the employment of purportedly falsified documentation. The agency is scrutinising suspected financial dealings and the possible layering of funds through various companies and entities.

In previous actions, the EOW has registered cases against several individuals, including BMC officials, contractors, middlemen, and company representatives, exploring allegations of corruption and malpractice in desilting efforts and the procurement of specialised machinery.

With Morea’s latest round of questioning concluded, investigators are poised to review the gathered documents and financial data in light of the ongoing investigation. Police officials have indicated that any subsequent actions will hinge on the evidence and leads that surface throughout this inquiry.

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