The ED attached immovable and movable properties worth Rs 53.95 crore in a bank fraud by a private company that resulted in a loss of over Rs 2,200 crore to a consortium of banks led by Indian Overseas Bank and 16 other banks, an official said on Monday.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Mumbai Zone-I, provisionally attached the assets of Parekh Aluminex Limited (PAL) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. (MLA), 2002.

Till date, the ED has attached total assets of Rs 546 crore in this case, the statement said.

The ED investigation was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by CBI, EOW Mumbai and EOB Mumbai against Parekh Aluminex Limited, and others for offences under Sections 420 and 120-BIPC, 1860 and Sections 13(1)d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Investigation has revealed that PAL fraudulently obtained loan from a consortium of banks by submitting inflated stock and debtor statements and later loan accounts of PAL were declared NPA for an amount of Rs 2,296 crore, the ED said.

The ED’s Investigation revealed that JK Shah Group assisted in the diversion of the Proceeds of Crime amounting to Rs 110.54 crore through various entities and persons.

One of the beneficiaries of the Proceeds of Crime received and enjoyed Rs 70.25 crore, forming part of the total Proceeds of Crime of Rs 2,296.58 crore, the ED said.

The ED had already attached assets worth Rs 493 crore in this case. A prosecution complaint (charge sheet) has also been filed before the Special Court (PMLA), Mumbai, which has taken cognisance of the offence, said the statement.

The conspirators inflicted a wrongful loss on a consortium of banks led by Indian Overseas Bank and 16 other banks, and the ED is examining the incriminating documents recovered during search operations to identify other players in the bank fraud, said the statement.

At least 31 people, including the bride and groom, have been hospitalised after reportedly suffering from suspected food poisoning during a wedding ceremony in Mumbai Nahur West area, officials said on Monday.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhay Singh Deshmukh, the wedding ceremony was held on November 1 at Nalanda Buddha Vihar Hall in Nahur West, with approximately 400 to 500 guests attending the event.

He said that around 70 to 100 guests, who had their meals in the final round, reportedly fell ill after consuming the food. Following complaints of illness and discomfort, several guests were taken to nearby hospitals for medical attention.

Officials said 22 affected individuals have been admitted to MT Agarwal Hospital in Mulund, four young children to Kamgar Hospital in Mulund, and five others are receiving treatment at a hospital in Vikhroli.

“Currently, all patients are in stable condition and are undergoing medical treatment. Relevant agencies are monitoring the situation and taking necessary action,” officials said.

One of the people admitted to the hospital told media, “The wedding took place at the Nalanda Buddha Vihar Hall. Towards the end, when we sat down to eat, along with the bride and groom, everyone fell ill. About 30 to 40 people from our neighbourhood were there, and all of them became unwell. Everyone had to be admitted to the hospital. Action must be taken regarding this.”

The groom’s maternal uncle, who also spoke to media, said the guests had consumed food at around 4 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. but began experiencing symptoms after returning home later in the evening.

“Once we reached home, by 11:00–11:30 p.m., everyone started vomiting. The bride was the first to fall ill,” he said.

“I believe at least 30–40 people from our own group have been affected by food poisoning. This number could rise further; patients are still arriving. Some have been taken to Kamgar Hospital, some to a facility near the Metro, and others have been sent to Vikhroli,” he added.

Demanding strict action against those responsible, the groom’s maternal uncle said the caterers and food suppliers should be held accountable for the suspected food poisoning.

He also called for an enquiry into the role of the committee managing the wedding venue.

A friend of the groom said that although all the patients were currently reported to be stable, several people were still reaching hospitals for medical assistance.

“This incident occurred due to the negligence of the caterers and a failure to check the quality of the food. The family is demanding strict action in this matter,” he said.

The administration, along with officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), was closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over fuel and gas price hikes, terming them a “cruel Diwali gift” for citizens already struggling with drought and inflation.

In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray camp accused the government of driving ordinary citizens into severe financial distress while Maharashtra grapples with drought and rampant inflation.

The editorial highlighted the grim reality facing common citizens and farmers across Maharashtra. “Almost the entire state of Maharashtra is scorched by a severe drought. Farmers have no crops in their fields, and common citizens have no money left in their pockets. People were holding onto their modest savings, hoping to bring a little sweetness into their children’s lives during Diwali. However, the government’s hike in CNG and Commercial LPG rates has poured cold water over those last remaining hopes,” claimed the editorial.

The editorial asked, “Do the rulers want the public to refrain from celebrating Diwali altogether this year?”

The editorial detailed the exact economic burdens imposed on the common man. “In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), CNG prices have been increased by Re 1 per kg — marking the 6th price hike in the last 6 months alone. Commercial LPG cylinder prices have been raised by Rs 10,” it said.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena mocked the government’s defence of keeping domestic cylinder prices unchanged, pointing out that hiking commercial gas directly increases the cost of dining out, hotel food, restaurant meals, and ready-made Diwali snacks and sweets brought home. It recalled that in May, commercial cylinder prices were hiked by a massive Rs 1,000. The token reduction that followed was merely a farce, as prices are rising again.

The editorial highlighted the compounding economic strain from global and domestic factors. “Driven by drought conditions and the Iran-America conflict, food inflation has hit a staggering 7.74 per cent. Prices of daily staples, pulses, and grains have escalated to the point where they feel like luxury items. The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to raise the repo rate has pushed up interest rates, leading to higher EMIs across all personal loans and mortgages,” remarked the editorial.

Targeting the political leadership, the Thackeray camp criticised the hypocrisy of government rhetoric. “Fuel and commodity prices were artificially held back for political self-interest until elections in five states concluded. Now, the ‘horse of inflation’ has broken loose. Rulers who boasted about reining in fuel prices despite global Gulf War tensions have turned completely unbridled regarding inflation post-elections. While the Prime Minister urges citizens to practice austerity, the government creates a system that leaves no money in the public’s pockets,” it alleged.