Warrant against ex-Mhada deputy collector in ₹274.65 crore PMLA case

The enforcement directorate (ED), which probed the money laundering allegations, had filed a complaint against Thakur and 20 others, including his brother Nilesh, last week.

A special court designated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has issued a non-bailable warrant against former deputy collector of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada), Nitesh Thakur, in connection with a ₹274.65 crore money laundering case.

The ED concluded that Nitesh Thakur laundered ₹274.65 crore through various companies formed in his name as well as that of Nilesh’s. (HT File)

The enforcement directorate (ED), which probed the money laundering allegations, had filed a complaint against Thakur and 20 others, including his brother Nilesh, last week. ED claimed that during his tenure as the deputy collector of Mhada, he amassed assets worth ₹118.39 crore, which is 92,779.54 times more than his income.

After its probe, ED concluded that Thakur laundered ₹274.65 crore through various companies formed in his name as well as that of Nilesh’s. While Nilesh is presently in custody, Thakur has been traced to Dubai. It is claimed that he was arrested in Dubai earlier this year, and the Indian government is in the process of extraditing him to India.

ED also listed seven companies where Thakur is a director. These include Ace Card Power Pvt Ltd, Ace Card Media Pvt Ltd, Ace Card HR Services Pvt Ltd, Ace Card Hotel and Resorts Pvt Ltd, Ace Card Construction Pvt Ltd, Ace Card Realty Pvt Ltd and Dhan Share Trading Pvt Ltd.

Furthermore, ED has listed eight companies where Nilesh was a director. These include Ace Card Export Pvt Ltd, Ace Cad Infrasol Ltd, Ace Card Adgro Industries, PRS Enterprises, PRS Developers, Aishwarya Investments, Shoreline Exports and Siddivinayak Enterprises.

Thakur was first arrested by the state anti-corruption bureau (ACB) in March 2012 for allegedly amassing wealth disproportionate to his income. At the time of his arrest in 2012, the ACB in their preliminary investigation had claimed that Thakur was found having assets worth more than ₹100 crore, while his monthly income was just ₹28,000. Thakur however fled the country.

Thakur also faces corruption allegations for the Samta Nagar Redevelopment project. The agency has further stated that PRS Developers, of which Nilesh is a director, had received a payment of ₹80.29 crore from SD Corporation for Samta Nagar redevelopment work, but the money was used to purchase other properties.

ED also claimed that PRS Enterprises, of which Nilesh is a director, had received ₹84.50 crore from M/S Shapoorji Pallonji Co Ltd to purchase land. However, ED claimed that this money was used to buy hotels and flats in Alibaug and Murud, and flats in Mumbai as personal assets.