ED attaches former Mhada deputy collector’s property worth Rs 56 cr

This is not the first time the former collector’s properties have been attached. In 2012, the ED attached seven properties belonging to Thakur and his family located in Mumbai, Alibaug and Murud-Jinjira.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating the Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) case against former deputy collector of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) Nitish Thakur, attached his properties and fixed deposits worth Rs 56 crore recently.

This is not the first time the former collector’s properties have been attached. In 2012, the ED attached seven properties belonging to Thakur and his family located in Mumbai, Alibaug and Murud-Jinjira.

Thakur is alleged to have given a large sum of money to Kalyani Charitable Trust. “We have attached properties of the trust and other properties in the city. We have now collectively attached his properties worth more than Rs 100 crore,” said a high-ranking ED officer, on condition of anonymity. According to the ACB, it has attached properties worth Rs 143.38 crore so far.

ED sources said the PMLA case against Thakur is nearing completion. “The prosecution complaint will be filed soon,” the officer said.

The case dates back to March 2012 when the Maharashtra anti-corruption bureau (ACB) arrested Thakur for allegedly amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. His assets were found to be over Rs 100 crore, while his income was a paltry Rs 28,000.

In 2012, the ACB carried out searches at 26 of Thakur’s properties in Alibaug, Murud, Belkade, Kolgaon, Ghoteghar, Chikhli, Kandivili, Gorai, Borivli, Vile Parle, Andheri, Garodianagar and Ghatkopar.

His wife Meenal, mother Chayya and brother Nilesh were also booked in the case in 2012.