Actor taken into custody after prolonged questioning as investigators probe alleged ₹65.54-crore loss to BMC in river desilting project
Mumbai, October 2026 : Actor Dino Morea was arrested by the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Friday in connection with the alleged Mithi River desilting scam, according to a report by Mid-Day. The actor was reportedly taken into custody after nearly eight hours of questioning at his Bandra residence.
The case relates to alleged financial irregularities in contracts awarded for the desilting and rejuvenation of the Mithi River, a project aimed at improving the river’s capacity and helping address flooding concerns in Mumbai. Investigators are examining alleged irregularities involving contractors, intermediaries and civic officials, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) estimated to have suffered a loss of ₹65.54 crore.
Morea’s name had previously surfaced during the investigation. In May 2025, he and his brother Santino Morea were questioned by the EOW in connection with alleged links to people being investigated in the case. Investigators had examined financial transactions involving Santino’s company, UBO Ridez, and individuals connected with the probe.
The EOW has also been examining financial transactions allegedly involving Morea and Ketan Kadam, a middleman and one of the accused in the case. Kadam was arrested in 2025. Investigators are looking into the nature and purpose of transactions between people linked to the alleged irregularities and whether they were connected with payments related to the civic contracts.
The broader investigation concerns allegations that contractors and subcontractors submitted questionable work records and documents to secure payments for desilting work. Police are also examining allegations of inflated bills, irregular execution of contracts and possible diversion of funds allocated for the river-cleaning and flood-prevention project.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting a parallel money-laundering investigation into the case. The agency has previously carried out searches at Morea’s residence and other locations connected with individuals under investigation.
Morea’s arrest marks a significant development in the EOW probe, which has been examining the alleged financial network surrounding the Mithi River project and the suspected loss to the civic body.
However, the exact nature of Morea’s alleged role and the evidence against him will be determined through the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings. The arrest itself does not establish guilt, and the probe into the alleged financial irregularities remains underway. Police are expected to examine financial records, communications and other evidence to establish the sequence of transactions and determine the responsibility of those involved.
