Dino Morea appears before EOW for questioning in Rs 65 crore Mithi River Scam probe

Bollywood actor Dino Morea appeared before the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police on Monday for questioning related to the Rs 65 crore Mithi River desalting scam. Arriving discreetly, Morea attempted to avoid media attention by wearing a mask and concealing his face. This marked his second consecutive day of interrogation, following a nearly eight-hour session the previous day. Investigators are examining his alleged connections to key accused individuals, particularly middleman Ketan Kadam, through scrutinized call records and financial transactions.

The Mithi River, stretching approximately 18 kilometers through Mumbai, serves as a crucial drainage channel, especially during the monsoon season. Following the devastating floods of July 2005, which resulted in over 1,000 fatalities, the river’s maintenance became a significant concern. Despite substantial funds allocated for its desilting and upkeep, the river has suffered from persistent pollution and silt accumulation.

The desilting scam involves allegations of manipulated tenders and inflated equipment rental charges. Investigations suggest that certain contractors, in collusion with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials, tailored tender conditions to favor specific suppliers. These contractors reportedly submitted fraudulent bills for sludge transportation, leading to an estimated loss of over Rs 65 crore to the BMC.

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Dino Morea and his brother Santino were summoned after call detail records indicated frequent communication with Ketan Kadam, a key figure in the scam. Kadam is believed to have coordinated desilting contracts and machinery rentals. The nature of Morea’s involvement is under investigation, with authorities examining whether he had any direct or indirect role in the financial misconduct.