Enforcement Directorate Provisionally Attaches Assets Worth Rs. 2.88 Crore in Nursing Immigration Cheating Case
In a significant development, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has taken action by provisionally attaching movable and immovable properties valued at Rs. 2.88 Crore. These assets include 9 residential and business premises, 4 fixed deposits, and 5 term deposits, belonging to individuals and entities involved in a case of cheating nursing immigrants.
The properties attached are associated with P. J. Mathew, Thomas Mathew, Smt. Celine Mathew, Joseph Mathew, M/s. Munavara Associates, Prop. Mahmood Naina Prabhu, M/s. Mathewsons Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd, M/s. Hi-Tech Business Services, M/s. Black Panther Security Services, Smt. Zulaiha Ummal Mohamood Naina P and L. Adolphus. The case revolves around the alleged collection of amounts 100 times more than the prescribed maximum of Rs. 20,000 per nurse.
The ED initiated the investigation based on the Final Report/Charge Sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under section 173(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code before the Hon’ble Special Judge for CBI-III, Ernakulam. The charges pertain to various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Corruption Act, and Emigration Act, 1983. The accused are alleged to have charged amounts exceeding the stipulated limit of Rs. 20,000, as laid down by the rules.
The ED’s investigation revealed that the individuals and entities, including P. J. Mathew, Thomas Mathew, Smt. Celine Mathew, Joseph Mathew, M/s. Munavara Associates, M/s. Mathewsons Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd, M/s. Hi-Tech Business Services, M/s. Black Panther Security Services, M/s. Concord Transport Corporation, M/s. Carlton Builders and Engineers Pvt. Ltd., M/s. On The Go Restaurant Pvt. Ltd., Mahmood Naina Prabhu, Rajan Verghese, Bincy Joseph, Smt. Zulaiha Ummal Mohamood Naina P and L. Adolphus, had derived proceeds of crime in the form of movable and immovable properties.
The provisional attachment of equivalent value properties worth Rs. 2.88 Crore is a significant step in the ongoing investigation. Earlier, a Provisional Attachment Order was issued for the attachment of properties totally worth Rs. 7.52 Crore. Furthermore, a Prosecution Complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, has been filed against P.J. Mathew and others before the Special Court for PMLA Cases, Ernakulam, and is currently pending. The ED is actively pursuing further investigations into the matter.
