What is actor Dino Morea’s “Matoshree” connection in the Mithi sludge issue?

A ₹65.54 crore alleged scam has come to light in the name of desilting the Mithi River. The names of Ketan Kadam, Jay Joshi, and contractor Sher Singh Rathore have emerged as the main accused in the case. Notably, the investigation has taken on political overtones after actor Dino Morea—reported to be a close associate of Aaditya Thackeray and connected to Matoshree—was named as a suspect. Mumbaikars are now asking a crucial question: did the funds allocated for flood control actually go toward real work, or did they merely flow away on paper? The Mithi River, regarded as Mumbai’s natural drainage channel, originates from the Powai and Vihar lakes and travels nearly 18 kilometres before merging into Mahim Creek. During the monsoon, it plays a critical role in carrying away large volumes of rainwater from the city. After the devastating floods of 2005, the importance of the Mithi River was strongly highlighted, and desilting was promoted as a key flood-control measure. However, investigative findings now suggest that large-scale financial irregularities were committed in the very name of this preventive measure. Between 2013 and 2021, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) paid crores of rupees to various contractors for desilting work on the Mithi River. Official records claimed that thousands of metric tonnes of silt were removed and that the riverbed had been cleaned. Yet, in reality, Mumbai continued to flood repeatedly every monsoon. This glaring contradiction led to the initiation of a formal investigation. Investigations by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW), along with audit reports, revealed several shocking details. In many locations, desilting work was shown as completed without any actual excavation. Bills were approved using fake GPS data, fabricated photographs, duplicate records, and forged weight slips. Evidence also emerged of double billing, where silt from the same location was shown twice to inflate payments. The probe further revealed that to secure approval for these inflated bills, certain senior BMC engineers were allegedly provided with “facilities” such as expensive flight tickets and stays in five-star hotels. Investigators suspect that bribes were paid in this indirect form to conceal the transactions rather than through cash. The main accused, Ketan Kadam, is alleged to have colluded with BMC officials to get bills approved despite the use of falsified data. Assistant Engineer Prashant Ramugade has also been accused of approving inflated payments despite being aware of forged documents. This raises a critical question: was the scam limited to contractors, or did it enjoy administrative protection as well? The naming of actor Dino Morea as a suspect has given the investigation a new direction. Police have reportedly recovered evidence of multiple phone conversations between Ketan Kadam, Dino Morea, and his brother. Additionally, the investigation revealed that Satino Morea, Dino Morea’s brother, and Punita, the wife of accused Ketan Kadam, were directors in the same company. Authorities are now probing whether financial transactions were routed through this company and whether these personal connections were used to gain access to municipal officials. According to police investigators, no direct involvement of Dino Morea has been established so far. However, his role remains under scrutiny, and questioning is ongoing. As a result, the case has moved beyond mere financial misconduct and now points toward the possible misuse of the system through political proximity, personal networks, and influence. In March 2024, the SIT of the Economic Offences Wing registered cases against 13 individuals and entities in connection with the scam. Charges include cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy. The investigation is still underway, and no one has been declared guilty at this stage. The most severe consequence of the Mithi River desilting scam is borne by Mumbaikars themselves. Every monsoon brings the same problems, the same conditions, and the same helplessness. Reports claim that desilting has been completed and crores of rupees have been spent, yet Mumbai continues to flood. This has strengthened allegations that the crisis is not a natural disaster but the result of an alleged fraud committed in the name of flood management. This scam is not limited to ₹65 crore alone. It raises serious questions about the functioning, transparency, and accountability of the BMC. Whether such life-threatening misconduct received political protection will now be determined through the investigation. But Mumbaikars will no longer remain silent. Because one truth stands out clearly— the BMC is not the private estate of any one family. BMC is not a family business #notafamilybusiness