The Mumbai unit of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday arrested 2008-batch Indian Income Service (IRS) officer Sachin Balasaheb Sawant right here in reference to a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case registered towards him, officers mentioned on Wednesday.
Sawant, who was posted as further director of Customs and GST in Lucknow, was taken to Mumbai by the ED unit for additional investigation, they mentioned.
A Mumbai courtroom granted Sawant’s custody to the Enforcement Directorate until July 5 for additional interrogation, the ED mentioned via its official Twitter deal with.
The Enforcement Director registered the PMLA case towards Sawant in reference to alleged unlawful diversion and switch of over ₹500 crore by diamond merchants and retailers whereas he was serving the ED as a deputy director of Mumbai Zone 2 earlier than coming to Lucknow, a senior ED officer conscious of the event mentioned.
The officer additionally mentioned the ED raided Sawant’s two homes in Lucknow and Mumbai on Monday evening in reference to the PMLA case registered towards him primarily based on disproportionate belongings (DA) case filed towards him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) some months in the past.
The CBI’s Anti-Corruption Bureau had registered the DA case in Mumbai on June 30, 2022. The IRS officer alongside together with his father, mom and spouse have been named in the FIR.
In Lucknow, the ED sleuths visited his home at posh Shalimar One World flats alongside Shaheed Path beneath the Gomti Nagar Extension police station limits on Tuesday.
Whereas investigating the case involving diamond merchants, Sawant had initially dropped at gentle the illegal actions surrounding the case. Nevertheless, a grievance filed towards Sawant by an accused, who was subsequently arrested, resulted in the CBI registering an FIR towards him.
The official mentioned the CBI had assessed that Sawant had amassed 204 % extra wealth as in comparison with his earnings between 2011-2020. He mentioned Sawant bought a flat price ₹ 1.02 crore in the title of an organization floated by himself. His father, who retired from the police division, was director the corporate.
“He even owned a BMW automotive and different costly issues,” the Enforcement Director officer added.
The Enforcement Directorate raid was carried out on the IRS officer’s residence to assemble proof and confirm any doable hyperlinks or involvement of Sawant in the illicit diversion and remittance of funds. The ED is wanting into the money laundering facet of the case and can attempt to observe the money path. The company will even probe if the proceeds of the crime have been used to buy or purchase any properties.