ED arrests Mehul Thakur & Madan Gopal Chaturvedi in connection with PMC & HDIL Scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, on Friday, arrested two people in connection with the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank scam case.

Madan Gopal Chaturvedi, director of Vasai-Virar-based Viva Group and MD Mehul Thakur were taken into custody after conducted raids were conducted at five places including offices of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi MLA Hirendra Thakur and Viva Group, which is controlled by Thakur's family, for "illegal diversion of bank funds".

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday seized Rs 73 lakh after raiding five premises belonging to the Viva Group and its associates in Mumbai and Palghar, officials said here on Friday.

These included the Viva Group's offices in Andheri and Virar (Palghar), besides residences of its top officials in Andheri, Juhu and Chembur (Mumbai), leading to the seizure of the cash and other incriminating documents.

Raids were conducted at three premises linked to the Viva Groups' head, Mehul Thakur, and three premises connected with chartered accountants/financial consultants.

The ED action followed leads that a large amount of money had allegedly been transferred from HDIL to companies and trusts of the Viva Group, which is controlled by the prominent Thakur clan of Virar in Palghar.

Nearly two years ago, the ED had launched a probe against HDIL promoters Rakesh Wadhawan and Sarang Wadhawan, PMC Bank's former Chairman Waryam Singh and MD Joy Thomas, and others after the PMC Bank scam broke out in September 2019.

The ED entered the picture after the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing lodged an FIR against the HDIL and Wadhawans, for causing losses of Rs 4,355 crore to the PMC Bank.

Viva Group MD Mehul Thakur and Director Madan Gopal Chaturvedi arrested by Enforcement Directorate in connection with PMC and HDIL Scam: ED official https://t.co/dHOn0eranq

— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2021