The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has escalated its investigation into the Mithi River desilting scam, exposing widespread financial misconduct within the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC). Recent search operations across eight locations in Mumbai have revealed a web of collusion between contractors and BMC officials, particularly within the Storm Water Drain (SWD) Department. This coordinated effort allegedly enabled the submission of falsified documents such as fake MoUs and No Objection Certificates related to land use for dumping silt, leading to a financial loss of over ₹65 crore to the civic body.
According to an FIR registered on May 6 at Azad Maidan Police Station, 13 entities are under scrutiny for their roles in defrauding the BMC. The ED has already frozen assets worth over ₹47 crore and is continuing to trace the proceeds of crime. Investigators have found that the scam involved deliberate manipulation in the procurement process, especially the inclusion and use of specialised desilting machinery such as Silt Pushers and Amphibious Pontoon Machines in tenders floated during 2021–2022. These machines were reportedly used to justify inflated bills, and some contractors were unfairly favoured during the bidding process.
Earlier, on June 6, the ED conducted search operations at 18 locations as part of the same investigation. With the latest round of raids, the total value of seized or frozen assets has reached approximately ₹49.8 crore. The widening scope of the probe also includes questioning high-profile individuals, including actor Dino Morea and his brother, as well as contractors and at least one BMC engineer, further indicating the depth and reach of the alleged corruption.
The investigation highlights not only the financial irregularities but also the institutional flaws in oversight and accountability within BMC’s public works and drainage management systems. As the ED continues to tighten its net, the case is emerging as one of the most significant civic corruption probes in recent times in Mumbai.
