13 Booked for Mithi River Desilting Fraud

The Mumbai police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has registered an FIR against 13 people, including three civic officials, for allegedly causing a loss of ₹65.54 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in connection with desilting the Mithi river.

- Vinay Dalvi

MUMBAI:

A preliminary inquiry conducted by a special investigation team (SIT) headed by assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Shyam Shinde of the EOW has revealed several irregularities in executing contracts for the desilting work from 2013 to 2023, officials said.

For instance, nothing was found on the land leased by BMC contractors to dump silt and debris removed from the Mithi river. Irregularities were also noted in the renting of silt pusher machines and dredging equipment, officials added.

After registering the offence at the Azad Maidan police station, EOW officials carried out searches at seven places in Mumbai—mainly at the residences and offices of the accused civic officials and contractors, officials said.

The accused

The three civic officers who were booked are from the BMC's storm water drains (SWD) department deputed for the Mithi River Development Project: deputy chief engineers Prashant Ramgude and Ganesh Bendre, and civic official Tayshete. BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani did not respond to HT's request for comment.