The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a fresh case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Mr. Purushottam Chavan, the husband of Dr. Rashmi Karandikar, a 2004-batch Maharashtra cadre IPS officer. The case is based on two FIRs lodged by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police earlier in February this year, involving alleged frauds that occurred between March 2015 and April 2024.
Rs. 24.78 Crore Fraud in Name of Government Quota Flats
According to the FIR, Mr. Chavan and 11 others are accused of duping 20 individuals of approximately Rs. 24.78 crore by falsely promising flats under the government quota in Mumbai, Thane, and Pune. Victims were allegedly lured with the promise of obtaining flats at cheaper rates by leveraging Chavan’s claimed influence in government departments. However, none of the promised flats were delivered.
Another Rs. 7.42 Crore Fraud on Pretext of Government Land and Police Contract
In the second case, Chavan allegedly defrauded Surat businessman Mr. Raosaheb Desai and others of Rs. 7.42 crore. He had assured them of obtaining government land at low prices and securing a contract to supply T-shirts to the Maharashtra Police Academy in Nashik. None of these promises were fulfilled.
Multiple Arrests and Ongoing Custody
Chavan, who is already in judicial custody, was arrested by the EOW in connection with both fraud cases. Additionally, the ED had earlier arrested him in May 2023 in connection with a Rs. 263 crore income tax refund scam, for which he remains in custody. The Gujarat Police have also arrested him recently in another separate fraud case.
Scrutiny on IPS Officer Rashmi Karandikar
The investigation has also brought attention to Dr. Rashmi Karandikar, Chavan’s wife and a senior Maharashtra cadre IPS officer. She has been questioned by the EOW for allegedly investing Rs. 2.5 crore—sourced from Chavan’s ICICI Bank account—into share trading. However, she has not been named an accused in any of the cases so far.
Possible Departmental Action Under Review
The EOW has written to the Director General of Police (DGP) office in Maharashtra, seeking clarification on whether Dr. Karandikar had informed the department before engaging in share trading, as per service conduct norms. If it is found that she breached these norms, departmental action may be initiated. An EOW officer noted that they are awaiting the DGP office’s response and will act based on the findings.
Notably, Dr. Karandikar has distanced herself from Mr. Chavan amid the ongoing investigations.
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