Mumbai: ED summons Dino Morea, brother in Mithi river desilting scam probe

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has issued summons to 10 individuals in connection with the Rs 65-crore Mithi River desilting scam, including actor Dino Morea, his brother Santino Morea, civic engineers, and contractors.

In the course of the investigation, ED sleuths traced seven bank accounts linked to Dino, and five accounts in the name of his brother, Santino. Investigators found that R18 lakh had been transferred into these accounts by prime accused Ketan Kadam. When asked if the ED had frozen these accounts, officials denied it, adding that the “funds are currently being treated as an investment in the firm and are not yet directly linked to the scam”.

The action comes after day-long search operations at 18 locations in Mumbai, Kochi and Thrissur on Friday. Sources told Sunday mid-day that the accused and suspects in the case have been instructed to appear before the ED’s Mumbai office next week for questioning. 

During the search operations, the central agency seized several vital items, including bank documents, cash, and digital devices, as part of its investigation. “During the course of search, ED seized Rs 7 lakh in cash and froze 22 bank accounts and one demat account. The total proceeds of crime seized or frozen amounts to more than Rs 1.25 crore so far. Further, certain digital devices and incriminating documents have been seized,” said the officer.

“The search operation covered office and residential premises linked to Prashant Ramgude [BMC engineer], Bhupendra Purohit [BMC contractor], Matprop Technical Service Pvt Ltd, Jay Joshi [director of Virgo Specialties Pvt Ltd], Ketan Kadam [controller of Woder India LLP], and Santino Rocco Morea/ Dino Morea (close associates of prime accused Ketan Kadam),” said the ED officer, adding that the evidence indicates the accused “colluded to form a cartel with the intent to manipulate BMC tenders related to the desilting of the Mithi River”.

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