The Directorate of Law Enforcement (DE) alleged that Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik received bribes of over Rs 7 crore from security service provider Topsgrup for allegedly facilitating a Rs 175 crore contract with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The contract for the supply of security guards to MMRDA was subcontracted to Topsgrup.
Sources said Amit Chandole, director of Vihang Advertising and a close associate of Sarnaik, who was arrested by ED late at night on Wednesday, allegedly used to collect Rs 6 lakh each month from Topsgrup on behalf of Sarnaik .
TopsGrup, founded by Rahul Nanda, runs a security service across the country. Chandole is also a member of the board of directors of several companies run by Sarnaik and his family.
The ED is investigating a money laundering case against the promoters of Topsgrup, a few related parties and Sarnaik. The ED case is based on the October 28 FIR, filed by a former Topsgrup employee, Ramesh Iyer, who alleged that Topsgrup cheated MMRDA of Rs 175 crore.
Chandole will be taken to court today for referral. ( New Tube )
