Cinema VinesActor Dino Morea has once again found himself in the spotlight, this time for a legal matter that has nothing to do with his film work. On Friday, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police summoned him for questioning over alleged irregularities in the Mithi River desilting project. This is the second time Morea has been called by the police; he and his brother, Santino Rocco Morea, were also questioned in May 2025.
The fresh summons followed a lead from phone records. According to a Hindustan Times report, investigators discovered calls that linked the Morea brothers to individuals involved in the case. A police officer, who declined to be named, told the publication that the summons was issued after the phone records were reviewed. The officer added that the Morea brothers, along with Punita Kadam—the wife of arrested accused Ketan Kadam—are directors of a private company called UBO Ridez Private Limited. Investigators are now examining financial transactions between the Kadams and Santino Rocco Morea, and how Ketan Kadam’s desilting firm, Woder India LLP, secured civic contracts.
The case centres on a claim that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) suffered a loss of Rs. 65.54 crore due to alleged financial irregularities, inflated tenders and corrupt practices. Ketan Kadam was arrested on May 7 and is one of 13 people booked in connection with the alleged losses. The EOW has also arrested Jayesh Joshi, who is linked to Virgo Specialties Private Limited, a Mumbai‑based industrial product manufacturer.
Police allegations state that in October 2020, certain BMC officials travelled to Kochi to purchase desilting equipment from Matprop Technical Services Private Limited. The machine specifications matched those of Matprop’s equipment, effectively forcing contractors to use that equipment. Under the tender terms, the BMC was supposed to pay contractors based on the weight of silt dredged from the river. The EOW claims that contractors who approached Matprop were directed to Joshi and Kadam, who allegedly rented out the equipment at inflated rates instead of selling it. Further, the police say that civic records were altered to overstate the quantity of silt to be removed, thereby benefiting contractors and the rates they received.
As the investigation continues, authorities are scrutinising all parties involved, including the Morea brothers and the Kadam family, to determine whether any wrongdoing has occurred. The case remains open, and more names may surface as the probe proceeds.
