Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 17: A senior IPS officer, Rashmi Karandikar, has come under the lens of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) after a startling revelation that she received Rs 2.64 crore in her bank account from her husband, Purushottam Chavan, who is currently under investigation in two high-profile cheating and money laundering cases.
According to EOW sources, the funds were transferred over a 90-day period between 2017 and 2018. Investigators discovered that Karandikar subsequently invested the sum in intraday share market trading but suffered financial losses. Authorities have written to the Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) seeking clarity on whether Karandikar had declared the large transaction in her mandatory asset disclosures as a serving police officer.
Although Karandikar has not been named an accused, EOW officials have summoned her for questioning. “She has cited medical leave and has not responded in person so far,” an officer said. When contacted by the media, Karandikar replied via WhatsApp, stating, “I am on medical leave and not in a condition to talk.”
Karandikar’s husband, Purushottam Chavan, is accused of duping at least 20 individuals of Rs 24.78 crore by falsely promising them flats and government land at concessional rates under the guise of special quota allotments. The alleged scam covered prime locations such as Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Panvel, and plots belonging to the Bombay Port Trust (BPT).
In addition to the FIRs registered by the EOW earlier this year, Chavan is also facing an independent probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a massive Rs 263-crore income tax refund fraud.
Sources indicate that Karandikar has initiated divorce proceedings in the Bandra family court. In her petition, she has cited mental cruelty, financial distress, incompatibility, her husband’s bipolar disorder, and alleged concealment of financial activities as grounds for separation.
Adding to the growing concerns, Karandikar reportedly vacated her official quarters above Colaba Police Station without prior intimation to the police headquarters.
With financial and legal implications deepening, the EOW is expected to intensify its probe in the coming weeks. Further action will likely depend on Karandikar’s compliance and disclosures to investigators.