Mumbai: EOW takes over case of absconding Goregaon couple

Ashesh and Shivangi Mehta

The Amboli cops, who had registered a cheating case against absconding Goregaon couple Ashesh and Shivangi Mehta, have transferred the case to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai police for further investigation. The police also slapped additional Sections of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act (MPID), 2018, as several additional details emerged during their investigation.

According to police sources, the Mehtas duped former MLA Krishna Hegde and his friends to the tune of Rs 55 lakh. Based on their complaint, a case under relevant sections of cheating was registered by the Amboli police and the couple was booked in June. While the Amboli police carried out their investigations, many people started approaching them alleging that they too had been duped by the couple. They alleged that they lost their savings after the couple promised to give them monthly returns on investments.

"Considering the seriousness of the crime, senior officers of Mumbai police transferred this case to the EWO," said an officer from Amboli police station. According to EOW sources, more than two dozen people who had invested amounts running into crores of rupees with Mehta's company ‘Bliss Consultants' have approached them so far and their statements are being recorded for further investigation of the case. The number of victims is likely to increase.

Also read: Mumbai: Gold theft suspect apprehended after three-year pursuit

MP police also looking for couple

The Mehtas - the alleged masterminds of a massive home-based drug distribution racket - are also under the scanner of the Madhya Pradesh police after one of their workers was arrested with 142 gm of mephedrone (MD) worth Rs 17 lakh. The arrest was made by the Khaniyadhana police of Shivpuri district, MP, on June 6.