The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday launched raids at over 15 locations across Mumbai and Kerala in connection with the alleged Rs 65 crore Mithi River Cleaning Scam. The ongoing operation is part of a money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Among the key premises searched were the residence of Bollywood actor Dino Morea, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Assistant Engineer Prashant Ramugade, and several contractors believed to be linked to the scandal.

Dino Morea under scanner in the river scam investigation

Dino Morea, known for his proximity to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, has previously faced questioning twice by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police. Now, the ED is scrutinising financial documents and seized materials from the raids to track the movement of allegedly misappropriated funds.

The ED’s probe stems from an EOW-registered FIR that named 13 individuals, including senior BMC officials and private contractors. The case revolves around fraudulent payments made for desilting and cleaning operations along the Mithi River, which authorities claim were never executed between 2007 and 2021.

What Is The Mithi River Scam, In Which Actor Dino Morea Is Being Questioned? Explained

Investigators suspect that BMC tenders related to the rental of specialised sludge pushers and dredging machines were rigged to benefit a few selected suppliers. This alleged manipulation led to inflated costs and significant financial losses for the civic body.

At the center of the controversy is a Kochi-based firm, Matprop Technical Services Pvt Ltd, from which the BMC is said to have hired desilting equipment at exorbitant prices. Authorities believe this firm played a key role in the alleged financial irregularities.

Dino Morea’s projects

Dino Morea, widely recognised for his roles in Bollywood hits, recently appeared in the comedy-drama 'Housefull 5'. The film, released on June 6, 2025, is directed by Tarun Mansukhani and stars an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Sanjay Dutt, Nana Patekar, and Jackie Shroff.