ED Files Charges Against Bernadette Verma and 11 Others for Money Laundering in Mumbai
The Enforcement Directorate has filed a chargesheet against Bernadette Verma and 11 others for money laundering involving over ₹77 crore.
Mumbai, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Bernadette Verma, her husband, and nine others for money laundering in Mumbai. The prosecution complaint was submitted to the Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The court has issued pre-cognition notices to the accused.
The investigation began based on an FIR registered at the Kaf Parade police station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in 2023. Bernadette Verma, a former deputy secretary of the finance department, allegedly exploited her position at the United Services Club. She is accused of opening fake bank accounts in the names of the club’s vendors and transferring approximately ₹77.52 crore into these accounts, committing fraud against the club.
Further inquiries revealed that Bernadette and her husband, Bharatkumar Shankarlal Verma, diverted more than ₹79 crore from the United Services Club into multiple dummy bank accounts. Bharatkumar reportedly opened these accounts using names similar to those of the club’s legitimate vendors.
The couple allegedly funneled the proceeds of their crime through various shell entities, transferring funds into their personal and joint accounts, as well as accounts belonging to family members. They reportedly used the illicit funds to purchase real estate, make fixed deposits, buy luxury vehicles, travel abroad, and maintain a lavish lifestyle.
In August 2024, during an audit of the United Services Club by a newly appointed chartered accountant (CA), the fraudulent transactions were uncovered. Following this, a portion of the illegally obtained funds was transferred due to the CA’s illegal demands, resulting in ₹11 crore being given to a foundation or trust, which primarily benefited the CA and his relatives or associates.
Previously, the ED had temporarily seized several properties, including flats, land, and shops, along with liquid assets such as fixed deposits and bank balances, valued at over ₹47 crore in connection with this case.
The ED’s investigation into the matter is ongoing.
