The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at multiple locations in Mumbai on Tuesday morning, July 29, including at the residence of former Vasai-Virar Municipal Commissioner Anilkumar Pawar, in a case linked to the construction of 41 illegal buildings in the Nalasopara area. According to the news agency IANS, the ED search operation was launched at around 6 am today.
This comes a day after Pawar was transferred. Central investigative agencies said they are currently raiding 12 different locations connected to Pawar. Raids were carried out at Pawar's bungalow in Virar as well as at his residences in Mumbai and Nashik. The raids after his transfer last week, his official send-off took place on Monday in the presence of several current and former MLAs from the Vasai-Virar region. The ED is reportedly investigating alleged financial irregularities during Pawar’s tenure.
In May this year, the ED, along with the Mumbai Police, conducted raids at 13 locations across Mumbai and Hyderabad under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and seized Rs 9.04 crores in cash and Rs 23.25 crores worth of jewellery.
ED initiated an investigation based on multiple FIRs registered by the Mira Bhayandar Police Commissionerate against builders, local henchmen, and others.