Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached assets valued at approximately Rs 13.44 crore in Goa and two other states as part of its investigation into the alleged diversion of nearly Rs 77 crore from the United Services Club in Mumbai.
The latest action covers 13 movable and immovable assets, including residential flats, plots of land, fixed deposits and funds held in bank accounts. The properties are located in Mumbai, Goa and Madhya Pradesh, the agency said.
The assets have been linked to former United Services Club Deputy Secretary (Finance) Bernadette Bharat Varma, her husband Bharatkumar Shankarlal Varma and other persons under investigation.
The ED’s case stems from an FIR filed by Mumbai Police. According to the agency, its investigation uncovered an alleged mechanism in which bank accounts bearing names resembling those of the club’s genuine vendors were used to receive club funds.
The agency has alleged that approximately Rs 77 crore was routed through such accounts before being transferred to accounts associated with the Varma couple, their relatives and other associates.
Investigators have further alleged that a portion of the money was used for purchasing properties and placing funds in fixed deposits.
The ED has also traced approximately Rs 11 crore allegedly transferred to the Jyotirgamay Foundation. The agency said the money was subsequently moved to accounts associated with Chartered Accountant Chandra Prakash Pandey, his family members and firms linked to him.
The latest attachment follows an earlier ED action on March 20, when 35 properties worth around Rs 34.51 crore were provisionally attached in the same case.
The investigation is continuing, with the agency examining the movement of the alleged proceeds of crime and the assets acquired from them.
