Rs 1,000 Cr Mithi River Desilting Scam: EOW Investigates Contractors, BMC Officials in Rs 65 Cr Fraud

Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is no stranger to infrastructure challenges, but the recent unearthing of a Rs 1,000 crore desilting scam involving the Mithi River has exposed a web of corruption that has left the city’s residents outraged and its civic administration under scrutiny. On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police took a significant step forward by registering its first FIR in connection with the alleged scam, booking 13 individuals—including contractors, BMC officials, middlemen, and private company officials—for causing a wrongful loss of over Rs 65.54 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). This development marks a critical milestone in an investigation that has been ongoing since August 2024, when a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe the irregularities in the desilting works carried out between 2005 and 2021.

The Mithi River, a 17.8 km-long waterway crucial for Mumbai’s drainage system, has been at the heart of this scandal. Intended to prevent flooding during the monsoon season, the river’s desilting projects have instead become a hotspot for alleged financial mismanagement and corruption. As the investigation unfolds, it has revealed a complex network of fraud involving fake documents, unverified dumping sites, and collusion between contractors and civic officials. With the total scam estimated at Rs 1,000 crore, this case has emerged as one of the largest civic frauds in Mumbai’s history.

Table: Rs 1,000 Crore Mithi River Desilting Scam

The Scam Unveiled

The Mithi River desilting project, spanning over 16 years from 2005 to 2021, was allocated approximately Rs 1,100 crore to ensure the river could effectively manage water flow and reduce flooding risks. However, the SIT’s scrutiny of these expenditures has uncovered alarming irregularities. Contractors, in collusion with BMC officials and middlemen, allegedly submitted false Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for dumping sites, which were not verified by the civic authorities. This led to the approval of bills based on fabricated documents related to weighbridges and log sheets, resulting in significant financial losses for the BMC.

The scam came to light in August 2024 when BJP MLCs Prasad Lad and Pravin Darekar raised questions about the project’s financial irregularities in the Maharashtra state Legislative Council. Their persistent advocacy led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising a joint commissioner of police (EOW), a deputy commissioner, an assistant commissioner, and other junior officers. The SIT’s mandate was to investigate the authenticity of the desilting works, the awarding of contracts, and the actual disposal of desilted material.

FIR and Accused

On Tuesday, the EOW registered its first FIR in the case, marking a significant escalation in the investigation. The FIR, lodged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 406 (criminal breach of trust), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant), 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy), names 13 individuals as accused. These include:

The FIR alleges that these individuals conspired to defraud the BMC by manipulating contract agreements, particularly those related to the use of silt pusher machines and multipurpose amphibious pantoon machines. The accused are said to have caused a wrongful loss of over Rs 65.54 crore to the civic body, with the total scam estimated at Rs 1,000 crore. Following the FIR, the EOW conducted searches at eight locations linked to the accused, signaling a proactive approach to gathering evidence and apprehending those involved.

Investigation Process

The SIT’s investigation has been thorough and multifaceted. The team has already questioned over a dozen contractors, including Rishabh Jain, Manish Kasaliwala, and Shersingh Rathod, to verify the authenticity of the desilting works. The probe extends to analyzing contract documents and details provided by both the BMC and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which oversees different stretches of the river.

• The BMC is responsible for desilting an 11.84 km stretch of the Mithi River.
• The MMRDA handles the remaining 6.8 km stretch.

The investigation is focused on several key aspects:

• Whether proper rules and norms were followed while awarding contracts.
• Whether the desilting works were actually carried out or existed only on paper.
• The authenticity of dumping sites mentioned in the MOUs.
• The vehicles used for transporting desilted material.
• Verification of weighbridge and log sheet documents.

The SIT has also sought CCTV footage from the BMC to corroborate claims of debris removal, further emphasizing the depth of the inquiry. Additionally, the EOW has questioned 10 contractors and recorded statements from 12 BMC officials, including engineers involved in overseeing the project.

Recent Developments

The registration of the FIR and the subsequent searches at eight locations represent a significant escalation in the investigation. The SIT’s findings have already uncovered material evidence sufficient to file a cognizable complaint, and the probe is expected to expand as more suspects are identified. The total number of contractors under scrutiny stands at 18, indicating the scale of the alleged fraud.

In a related development, the EOW has summoned BJP leader Prasad Lad, who was the first to raise concerns about the scam, to record his statement and provide crucial documents related to the tendering process, payments, and contracts. Lad’s role as a whistleblower has been pivotal in pushing the investigation forward.

Background: The Mithi River

The Mithi River, also known as the Mahim River, is a vital waterway that flows through Mumbai, playing a crucial role in the city’s drainage system. Its desilting is essential to prevent flooding during the monsoon season, when heavy rainfall can overwhelm the city’s infrastructure. Over the years, the river has been the subject of numerous desilting projects, with the BMC and MMRDA allocating significant funds to ensure its functionality.

However, despite these efforts, Mumbai continues to grapple with flooding issues, raising questions about the effectiveness of the desilting works. The current scam investigation has revealed that much of the allocated funds may have been misused, potentially compromising the river’s capacity to manage water flow.

Public Reaction and Political Fallout

The revelation of the scam has sparked widespread outrage among Mumbai’s residents, who have long endured the city’s flooding problems. The scam has also become a political flashpoint, with opposition parties using it to criticize the ruling Shiv Sena for alleged corruption in civic projects.

BJP MLCs Prasad Lad and Pravin Darekar played a key role in bringing the issue to light, forcing the government to form the SIT. Their efforts have highlighted the importance of opposition in ensuring accountability and transparency in public works projects.

Way Forward

As the EOW continues its investigation, there is hope that it will lead to the prosecution of those responsible and the recovery of misappropriated funds. However, this case also underscores the need for systemic reforms to prevent such large-scale frauds in the future.

The BMC and MMRDA must implement stricter oversight mechanisms, including regular audits and transparent contract-awarding processes. Additionally, the use of technology, such as CCTV surveillance and digital documentation, can help ensure accountability in public works projects.

For Mumbai’s residents, this scam is more than just a financial loss—it is a betrayal of trust in a system meant to protect them from natural disasters. As the investigation progresses, it is crucial that justice is served, and that the city’s infrastructure is rebuilt with integrity.

(India CSR)