Mumbai: Husband of IPS Officer Arrested in ₹263 Crore TDS Fraud, Now Under EOW Investigation
Purshottam Chavan, the husband of a Maharashtra-cadre IPS officer, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a ₹263 crore TDS fraud case. He now faces an investigation by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for allegedly counterfeiting governm
FraudCounterfeitingGovernment Quota PropertyTdrEow ProbeReal Estate MumbaiJan 06, 2025
The trouble doesn't end there, as the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police has also initiated an investigation against him.
Chavan is accused of being involved in counterfeiting government quota property documents, defrauding several individuals, and forging Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) for land parcels in Mumbai, Raigad, and Pune.
The ED conducted a search operation on May 19, 2024, at the official residence of the IPS officer in Colaba, recovering evidence of counterfeit government documents.
These documents included registered documents for high-value properties in prime locations such as Worli, Parel, Bandra, and Thane.
The properties were represented as government quota allocations, supported by a letter bearing the signature of a deputy secretary of the Maharashtra government.
The ED also seized numerous TDRs linked to land parcels across Mumbai, Raigad, and Pune.
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that both the forged signature letter and the fraudulent approval for the allocation of these properties were meticulously fabricated.
The TDRs, which allow real estate firms to construct beyond the permitted Floor Space Index (FSI), turned out to be entirely counterfeit.
However, the recovered forged documents do not fall under the First Schedule of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
This means the ED cannot directly investigate these crimes.
When evidence of offenses unrelated to money laundering is uncovered, the ED is required to share its findings with the appropriate law enforcement or regulatory agency.
Consequently, the ED forwarded the details to the EOW.
After receiving the letter from the ED, the EOW initiated a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) and summoned several individuals connected to the fake documents.
During the PE, several individuals came forward with statements accusing Chavan of offering them properties in prime locations such as South Mumbai, Worli, Dadar, Parel, and Thane.
Chavan allegedly assured them that he had strong connections within the state government and could secure flats worth crores of rupees at a fraction of their market value.
By making these deceptive promises, Chavan is said to have defrauded the victims of crores of rupees.
The financial probe has uncovered alarming details.
Over 15 victims testified that while they chose flats in prime areas like Worli, Bandra, and Lower Parel, the registrations took place at a registrar's office in Panch Pakhadi, Thane, with biometric procedures and official challans, suggesting government officials' involvement.
Recovered documents from the IPS officer’s residence indicate that Chavan forged the signature of a Deputy Secretary in the Maharashtra government to validate counterfeit documents.
Chavan is reported to have registered these forged documents through a government registrar with the assistance of some unidentified government officials.
According to official sources, during the ED's search operation, several counterfeit TDRs for land parcels in Mumbai, Raigad, and Pune were recovered from Chavan's possession.
These documents have been handed over to the EOW for further investigation.
Victims' statements indicate that Chavan extracted crores of rupees from people by offering them fake TDRs for government land, as further corroborated by statements provided to the EOW.
Chavan is currently in judicial custody, with his bail application recently rejected by the Special PMLA Court.
The court noted that there was no evidence of a life-threatening illness or inadequate treatment related to his mental health.
The ED has filed a prosecution complaint in the ₹263 crore TDS fraud case, and the investigation continues, focusing on Chavan's connections in Dubai and his business dealings.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is a specialized unit of the Mumbai Police, dedicated to investigating complex financial crimes.
The EOW plays a crucial role in ensuring that financial crimes are thoroughly investigated and that justice is served.
The unit works closely with other law enforcement agencies to combat economic offenses and maintain the integrity of the financial system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main charge against Purshottam Chavan?
Purshottam Chavan is primarily charged with being involved in a ₹263 crore TDS fraud case. He is also accused of counterfeiting government quota property documents and defrauding individuals.
What documents were found during the ED's search operation?
The ED's search operation uncovered registered documents for high-value properties in prime locations such as Worli, Parel, Bandra, and Thane. Additionally, numerous counterfeit Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) for land parcels in Mumbai, Raigad, and Pune were seized.
Why did the ED forward the case to the EOW?
The recovered forged documents are not listed under the First Schedule of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Therefore, the ED cannot directly investigate these crimes and had to forward the details to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for further investigation.
What are Transferable Development Rights (TDRs)?
Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) are rights that allow real estate firms to construct beyond the permitted Floor Space Index (FSI), which defines the maximum amount of construction allowed on a plot based on its size.
What is the current status of Purshottam Chavan's legal proceedings?
Chavan is currently in judicial custody, with his bail application recently rejected by the Special PMLA Court. The investigation into his connections in Dubai and his business dealings continues.
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