A total of Rs. 2.88 crore in movable and immovable properties, including 9 residential and commercial spaces, 4 fixed deposits, and 5 term deposits belonging to P. J. Mathew, Thomas Mathew, Smt. Celine Mathew, Joseph Mathew, M/s. Munavara Associates, Prop. Mahmood, have been provisionally attached by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED).
In relation to the case of defrauding nursing immigrants by collecting 100 times more than the allowed maximum amount of Rs. 20,000/-per nurse, 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 met this requirement.
The ED commenced an investigation based on the Final Report/Charge Sheet that the CBI had filed under section 173(2), Cr.PC before the Honorable Special Judge for CBI-III, Ernakulam. The charges included offences that were punishable under several sections of the IPC, 1860, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Emigration Act, 1983. The charges exceeded the maximum amount allowed by the rules, which was Rs. 20,000.
ED’s inquiry disclosed that P. J. Mathew, Thomas Mathew, Joseph Mathew, M/s. Mathewsons Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd., M/s. Hi-Tech Business Services, M/s. Black Panther Security Services, M/s. Concord, and M/s. Munavara Associates 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 obtained the proceeds of crime in the form of movable and immovable properties through the commission of scheduled offences and other offences related to scheduled offences. As a result, properties with a value of Rs. 2.88 Crore have been provisionally attached.
Previously, a Provisional Attachment Order was issued for the attachment of multiple properties valued at Rs. 7.52 Crores. Additionally, a prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) was filed against P.J. Mathew and others in the Special Court for PMLA Cases, Ernakulam, with the case still pending.
The ongoing investigation underscores the exploitation of nursing immigrants in the case, where entities exceeded the prescribed financial limits. The ED continues its efforts to address financial wrongdoing and protect the interests of those affected by such fraudulent activities.
