North India Statesman
[ad_1]
Mumbai – Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized immovable and movable property worth Rs 13.71 crore in connection with the alleged scam related to online booking of tiger safari in Tadoba Wagh Sanctuary, Maharashtra. The properties seized include the land in Chandrapur and Nagpur as well as the amount deposited in various accounts of persons and institutions associated with the case.
This action was taken in March under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation has been initiated in connection with the alleged irregularities made by M / s Wild Connectivity Solutions (WCS) both partners Abhishek Vinodkumar Thakur and Rohit Vinodkumar Thakur. 18
According to officials, investigation has been initiated on the basis of an FIR lodged by Maharashtra Police in Chandrapur district. In the FIR, the Thakur brothers have been accused of misusing the forest department’s funds and violating the terms of the contract.
The ED investigation has revealed that Wild Connectivity Solutions was given a service level agreement to operate the online safari booking system by Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Which includes entry fee, seizure fee and guide fee. However, the Thakur brothers allegedly violated the conditions and embezzled Rs 16.5 crore between the financial years 2020–21 and 2023-24. Due to which the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Conservation Foundation suffered a lot of damage.
In January this year, search operations were carried out under PMLA at places associated with ED accused. During the raids, the authorities seized gold, bullion and platinum jewelery as well as digital devices and several objectionable documents worth Rs 1.42 crore. Investigation revealed that the accused used the money received from the crime in their name and in earning assets in the name of some institutions and also used this money to repay the loans taken by their other companies.
