Mithi River Scam: ED Raids 6+ Mumbai Locations, Including Bollywood Actor Dino Morea’s Bandra Home
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided over 6 locations in Mumbai, including Bollywood actor Dino Morea’s Bandra residence, in connection with the Mithi River desilting scam. Here’s what we know so far.
In a major development in the ongoing investigation into the alleged Mithi River desilting scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at multiple locations across Mumbai, including the residence of Bollywood actor Dino Morea in Bandra. The raids were carried out as part of a probe into suspected money laundering and corruption related to the awarding and execution of contracts for desilting the Mithi River, a crucial waterway in Mumbai.
According to ED officials, more than six premises were searched simultaneously in connection with companies and individuals allegedly linked to irregularities in the civic contracts sanctioned for the river’s cleanup and desilting operations.
The Mithi River, which flows through the heart of Mumbai, has long been associated with urban flooding concerns, particularly after the devastating 2005 Mumbai deluge. Following public outcry and pressure on civic authorities, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) allocated substantial funds for its desilting and maintenance.
However, several reports and audits later raised red flags over the execution of these contracts, with concerns of inflated bills, ghost workers, and non-existent work on the ground. Whistleblowers and RTI activists alleged that despite hundreds of crores being spent, actual improvement on the ground remained negligible.
The ED’s involvement stems from suspected financial irregularities, kickbacks, and laundering of funds linked to these public contracts.
One of the more high-profile names linked to the investigation is actor and entrepreneur Dino Morea. ED officials confirmed that his Bandra residence was among the premises searched as part of the probe. While Morea has not been formally charged or arrested, officials stated that certain financial transactions and associations led them to include his property in the list of search locations.
Sources within the agency said that Morea is associated with one of the companies under scrutiny for receiving subcontracts or consultancy roles in the desilting project. The nature and extent of his involvement are still being verified, and he may be summoned for questioning in the coming days.
This isn’t the first time Bollywood names have surfaced in financial probes, but the inclusion of an actor’s residence in a civic corruption case has certainly raised eyebrows and drawn public attention.
The ED’s action is part of a larger crackdown on suspected misappropriation of public funds in Maharashtra’s civic bodies.
The Mithi River scam is now being linked to a network of contractors, bureaucrats, and political intermediaries who allegedly siphoned off public money meant for infrastructure and environmental improvement.
With elections approaching in Maharashtra, the investigation could have political implications, especially if any elected officials or senior civic administrators are found complicit. Some opposition parties have welcomed the raids, demanding transparency and swift justice, while others have accused the central agency of selective targeting.
As the ED collects financial records, digital data, and contract documentation from the searched locations, the probe is expected to expand further. Key players linked to the civic tender process, subcontractors, and consultants are likely to be called in for interrogation.
Legal experts suggest that if money laundering can be proven, the accused may face serious charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which could lead to arrests and asset seizures.
Meanwhile, the public waits to see whether this investigation will finally bring accountability to one of Mumbai’s long-standing civic challenges—or if it will fade into the background like previous inquiries.
The Mithi River desilting scam is shaping up to be more than just another civic corruption story. With big names, massive public funds, and systemic flaws at its core, the ED’s ongoing investigation could be a defining moment in Mumbai’s fight against financial fraud and environmental neglect.
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