Mumbai, Oct. 2: Actor Dino Morea was reportedly arrested by the Mumbai Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Friday in connection with the alleged ₹65.54 crore Mithi River desilting scam.
According to reports, the actor was taken into custody after several hours of questioning at his Bandra residence. However, Morea later denied reports that he had been detained or arrested, according to media.
The case concerns alleged financial irregularities in contracts awarded for the desilting and rejuvenation of Mumbai’s Mithi River. Investigators are examining the alleged roles of contractors, intermediaries and civic officials, including the process through which contracts were awarded and payments made.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is reportedly estimated to have suffered a loss of ₹65.54 crore in connection with the project.
EOW Examines Morea Family’s Financial Links
Morea had previously been questioned by the EOW along with his brother Santino Morea in May 2025. Investigators had examined phone records and financial transactions involving Santino’s company, UBO Ridez, and people linked to the case.
The investigation has also focused on Ketan Kadam, who was arrested in 2025. Kadam is associated with Vodar India LLP, a company linked to the Mithi River desilting contracts.
According to the material reported during the earlier investigation, ₹18 lakh was transferred through multiple transactions to UBO Ridez, in which Santino Morea was a director. Investigators were examining the nature and purpose of those transactions.
Police also examined an alleged business connection between Vodar India LLP and UBO Ridez. The two entities reportedly operated from the same address near Famous Studio in Worli.
The EOW has been investigating how the BMC contracts were awarded and how machinery used for desilting was procured and rented. Investigators have alleged that civic officials travelled to Kochi to procure specialised equipment before tenders were floated with specifications matching the machinery.
The probe has further examined allegations that contractors were subsequently directed towards intermediaries who rented out the equipment at inflated rates.
The Enforcement Directorate has separately investigated the alleged financial irregularities. The agency had conducted searches at Morea’s residence and other premises linked to BMC officials, contractors and intermediaries under scrutiny.
The EOW had constituted a Special Investigation Team in 2024 to investigate alleged irregularities in the Mithi River desilting project. Several people, including Kadam and Jayesh Joshi, have been arrested in the wider case.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the specific allegations against Morea are yet to be established in court.
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