Archive · 11 Dec 2025
Mumbai Arrests in ₹65-Crore Mithi River Scam
The Mumbai Police have arrested two more contractors, Sunil Upadhyay and Mahesh Purohit, for their involvement in a ₹65 crore scam related to the desilting of the Mithi River.
The scam involved submitting fake bills and inflating work measurements to siphon off funds meant for cleaning the river.
The police are also investigating the broader conspiracy and the possible role of civic officials.
The arrested contractors will remain in police custody until December 16, 2023.
The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected.
The scam operated over a decade, from 2013 to 2023, through coordinated efforts involving contractors, middlemen, and officials from the BMC's Storm Water Drainage (SWD) Department.
Two contractors, Sunil Upadhyay and Mahesh Purohit, were arrested in the ₹65 crore Mithi River desilting scam.
The arrests mark the fourth and fifth in the case, with the police focusing on fake bills and inflated work measurements.
The contractors secured work contracts through bogus Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and faked signatures of landowners.
The EOW is investigating the broader conspiracy, money trail, and possible involvement of civic officials, with the scam operating from 2013 to 2023.
The arrested contractors were remanded to police custody until December 16, 2023.
- Who
- Sunil Upadhyay (54) and Mahesh Purohit (48)
- What
- Arrests in a ₹65 crore Mithi River desilting scam
- When
- December 10, 2023
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- Why
- For alleged fraud in desilting contracts, including submitting fake bills and inflating work measurements
Contractors
Mumbai Police
Contractors' Role in the Scam
Contractors
Contractors claim they were following standard procedures and deny any wrongdoing.
Mumbai Police
Mumbai Police allege that contractors submitted forged documents and inflated bills to siphon off funds.
- Arrested Contractors
- Sunil Upadhyay (54) and Mahesh Purohit (48)
- Arrest Date
- December 10, 2023
- Custody Duration
- Until December 16, 2023
- Scam Amount
- ₹65 crore
- Investigation Focus
- Conspiracy, money trail, and officials' involvement
- Time Period of Scam
- 2013–2023
- Involved Departments
- BMC's Storm Water Drainage (SWD) Department
Sources
₹65-Crore Mithi River Desilting Scam: Mumbai EOW Arrests 2 More Contractors; Remanded To Police Custody Until December 16
Mithi River silt scam: 2 arrested for forging signatures, preparing fake MoUs
Forged Papers, Inflated Bills: 2 Arrested In Rs 65 Crore Mithi River Scam
