Bollywood actor Dino Morea appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday in Mumbai. He was called in connection with a money laundering case linked to a Rs 65 crore scam involving the desilting of the Mithi river.What happened?According to a PTI report, Morea reached the ED office in Ballard Estate, South Mumbai, around 10:30 am for questioning. The ED had earlier conducted searches at over 15 places in Mumbai and Kochi, including Morea’s home in Bandra (West) and locations linked to his brother Santino Morea. Officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), contractors, and others were also targeted.The case involves alleged cheating worth Rs 65.54 crore in tenders given between 2017 and 2023 for cleaning the Mithi river. This river is important as it helps drain stormwater in Mumbai. The police said BMC officials fixed the tender to favour a particular supplier of machinery. Contractors then made fake bills for moving sludge out of the city, causing a big loss to public funds.Morea brothers’ roleThe report also revealed, Dino Morea and his brother Santino were questioned before by the Mumbai Police Economic Offences Wing. They are suspected of having links with middleman Ketan Kadam, who was arrested in the case, along with another accused, Jai Joshi. Kadam and Joshi rented out machines used for desilting to contractors. The Morea brothers’ financial dealings with companies tied to Santino are also being looked into.The Mithi river desilting project was started after the heavy floods in 2005 that badly affected Mumbai. Keeping the river clear is vital to stop floods during monsoon rains. The ED is continuing its probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. More questioning and investigations are expected as the case unfolds.
